Coyotes at Kings
The Arizona Coyotes have elevated into second place in the Pacific due in part to their impressive play against their division rivals. The Coyotes, who boast a 4-1-1 record within the division, aim to defeat the Los Angeles Kings for the second time in six days when they visit the Staples Center on Saturday night.
Arizona recorded its fourth win in five outings with a 3-0 victory over Los Angeles on Monday before dropping a 3-1 decision to Toronto three nights later, much to the chagrin of coach Rick Tocchet. "I told the boys afterward it was a dud. We haven't had too many this year, but it was a dud," Tocchet said. "(The Maple Leafs) looked good, but we were out to lunch." Los Angeles answered its dud versus the Coyotes by registering its fourth victory in five outings overall and fifth straight at home with a 5-1 win over Pacific Division-leading Edmonton. "We want to make it hard for the opposition to come into our building," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "There's some tough buildings to play in. This building has and will be that building again. We're trying to create that environment, we're trying to make it hard on teams to do what they want to do in our building."
TV: 4 p.m. ET, FS Arizona-Plus, FS West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (13-8-2): Tocchet announced Friday that Antti Raanta will get the nod against Los Angeles before Darcy Kuemper will man the crease the following day versus Edmonton. Raanta recorded his third shutout against the Kings and improved to 4-0-1 in five career encounters with Monday's 31-save gem, which was highlighted by stopping Austin Wagner on a breakaway midway into the third period. Vinnie Hinostroza didn't score in that contest but collected his fifth point in nine games when he scored with 17 seconds remaining in regulation to prevent the shutout against Toronto.
ABOUT THE KINGS (9-12-1): Jeff Carter celebrated his pregame ceremony for skating in his 1,000th NHL contest by joining Tyler Toffoli with three-point performances against the Oilers. The 34-year-old Carter has three goals and two assists in his last five games after being held off the scoresheet in six of his previous seven contests. Captain Anze Kopitar scored versus Edmonton, boosting his team-leading totals in goals (eight) and assists (15) with six and nine, respectively, over the last 15 games.
OVERTIME
1. Arizona C Nick Schmaltz elevated his team-leading totals in goals (14) and points (18) by setting up a pair of tallies in the first encounter with Los Angeles.
2. Eight of Toffoli's 12 points have been recorded at the Staples Center.
3. Coyotes RW Conor Garland, who leads the team with 10 tallies, scored and set up a goal against the Kings on Monday.