Coyotes at Kings
The Los Angeles Kings' last outing featured a performance that was every bit as bad as it was as good in their previous contest. Kings coach John Stevens hopes his team rebounds on Saturday when it opens a two-game homestand against the Pacific Division-rival Arizona Coyotes.
"We ended up chasing the puck and not getting in tough areas and allowing them to get in a lot of tough areas," Stevens said after Los Angeles dropped a 5-0 decision to Nashville on Thursday. "It was probably the mirror opposite of what we did (Tuesday, a 3-0 win at Dallas). They did it to us. We better learn from it." The Kings need to steer clear of the penalty box, too, as they were short-handed three times in the first period and fell behind 3-0 in short order. Last-place Arizona has heard that story all too often, and the Coyotes are in the midst of a tough tale with losses in seven of nine overall ahead of the opener of their three-game road trip. Christian Fischer, who provided the screen on defenseman Kevin Connauton's goal in a Thursday's 4-1 loss versus the Stars, scored 2:43 into overtime as Arizona posted a 3-2 win over Los Angeles on Nov. 24.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (12-30-9): Antti Niemi's status is in limbo after he sustained an undisclosed injury in an automobile accident on Thursday. "It's Antti's call," coach Rick Tocchet said of playing on Saturday. "It's one of those sorts of things where if he feels good he'll come to me and tell me. It’s basically a wait-and-see approach." The Coyotes provided backup in the form of fellow goaltender Adin Hill (9-10-1, 2.59 goals-against average, .905 save percentage), who was recalled on an emergency basis from Tucson of the American Hockey League.
ABOUT THE KINGS (27-19-5): Defenseman Alec Martinez missed Friday's practice after sitting out the third period against the Predators with a lower-body injury. "The only thing I could tell you about Marty is I would say he's day-to-day, and I wouldn't expect him to be long-term," Stevens said. In addition to questions about Martinez's status, Tanner Pearson missed Friday's practice due to illness while defenseman Derek Forbort is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. Los Angeles captain Anze Kopitar scored in the first game against Arizona to give him 67 points (18 goals, 49 assists) in 64 career meetings.
2. Coyotes D Oliver Ekman-Larsson also tallied in that contest, giving him 10 points in his last 11 games versus the Kings.
3. Los Angeles G Jonathan Quick has lost four of his last six starts versus Arizona.