Coyotes at Kings
THE STORY: Mike Smith received a rare night off and watched his team's five-game winning streak go by the boards. The NHL's First Star of the Week, Smith is expected to be back in action on Thursday when the Phoenix Coyotes pay a visit to the Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Kings. For its part, Los Angeles concluded a six-game road trip (2-3-1) and is just three points behind the Pacific Division-leading San Jose Sharks.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSAZ+, FSW
ABOUT THE COYOTES (27-21-9): With a 6-1-1 mark in its last eight games, Phoenix is holding firm in eighth place in the Western Conference standings. A regulation victory on Thursday would pull the Coyotes even with both the Kings and reeling Chicago Blackhawks - should the latter fall to the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers. Phoenix's part may prove to be a tall task, considering that the Coyotes have won just one of the four meetings between the division rivals this season. Taken a step further, All-Star Jonathan Quick has blanked Phoenix twice this campaign.
ABOUT THE KINGS (27-19-11): Los Angeles will have plenty of chances to distinguish itself in the Western Conference race. The Kings will face the Coyotes twice in the next week with dates against playoff contenders Calgary and Colorado as well. All told, Los Angeles plays 24 of its 25 remaining games against Western Conference teams. After capping a three-game, four-day stretch with a 4-2 win over Dallas on Sunday, coach Darryl Sutter's club finally was able to catch its breath.
OVERTIME:
1. Smith, who yielded six goals during the team's winning streak, is 6-2-1 with a slim 1.55 goals-against average in his career versus the Kings.
2. Los Angeles LW Simon Gagne resumed skating for the first time since suffering what is known to be his fourth career concussion. There is no timetable for his return.
3. Phoenix LW Ray Whitney saw his eight-game point streak come to an end following the team's 2-1 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.