Kings at Coyotes
THE STORY:
Failing to score has been a reoccurring issue this season for the Los
Angeles Kings. Their recent rut has dropped them out the top eight spots
in the Western Conference. The Kings get an opportunity to make up some
ground on one of the teams they're chasing when they travel to face the
streaking Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday. Los Angeles is 3-1-1 in five
meetings this season, but Phoenix is unbeaten in five straight at home.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS West (Kings), FS Arizona Plus (Coyotes)
ABOUT THE KINGS (27-21-11): It’s easy to see why the Kings have only
two wins in their past eight games. They have managed three goals in
the six losses, including shutouts their two previous games. “The last
couple years, we've been battling for a playoff spot,” captain Dustin
Brown said. “As frustrating as these last two games have been,
offensively, we've got to refocus." Goaltender Jonathan Quick has done
his part against the Coyotes, stopping 42 of 43 shots in the last two
meetings.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (29-21-9): While the Kings are
headed in the wrong direction, the Coyotes are on an uptick, going
7-0-1 in February. Phoenix has grabbed 17 of a possible 20 points coming
in, the main reason the club has jumped to seventh in the West – two
points in front of Calgary and Los Angeles. Forward Radim Vrbata has
been red-hot. He has five goals and four assists the past eight games,
including four game-winners, en route to a career-best 28 tallies.
OVERTIME:
1. Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith is unbeaten in his last seven starts while posting a minuscule 0.99 goals against average.
2. The Kings average 2.03 goals, last in the NHL.