Coyotes at Kings
The Phoenix Coyotes are halfway through their four-game road trip and have yet to score a goal. They look to end the drought Monday as they take on the Pacific Division-rival Kings for the first of two meetings in Los Angeles in as many nights. After posting a 5-2 victory over the Kings at home on Tuesday, Phoenix began its trek with a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday and dropped a 1-0 shootout decision to the streaking Columbus Blue Jackets two days later.
Los Angeles is coming off a 5-2 victory over the division-rival San Jose Sharks on Saturday that began its five-game homestand. Kyle Clifford registered his first career two-goal performance as the Kings avenged a 4-3 loss in San Jose two days earlier. The Kings and Coyotes split their first two meetings - with Los Angeles winning in Phoenix on Jan. 26.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN Plus Arizona (Phoenix), FSN West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (13-11-4): Defenseman Zbynek Michalek has missed the last three games with an ankle injury and is questionable for Monday's contest. Right wing Radek Vrbata has been sidelined since mid-February with a broken bone in his foot but could return Thursday against Vancouver. Mike Smith posted his 23rd career shutout and fourth of the season Saturday. He has been matched by his counterpart in two of his four blankings in this lockout-shortened campaign. The Coyotes and Sharks also played 65 scoreless minutes on Feb. 9 before San Jose emerged with a 1-0 shootout victory.
ABOUT THE KINGS (15-10-2): Left wing Dwight King has scored in consecutive games after netting just one goal in his first 24 contests this season. It's the longest regular-season goal-scoring streak of King's NHL career, although the 23-year-old tallied in three straight games against Phoenix in last year's Western Conference finals. Tyler Toffoli made his NHL debut Saturday, registering one shot on goal and blocking one in 13:20 of ice time. "It was a blast," the 20-year-old said. "I didn't want to relax at all. I just wanted to keep going and play the best game of my life."
OVERTIME
1. The Coyotes have been shut out in each of their last three road games, as they dropped a 2-0 decision in Anaheim on March 6.
2. Los Angeles wraps up its homestand with contests against Dallas and Vancouver before beginning a five-game road trip on March 25 in Chicago.
3. The Kings have won nine of their last 10 home games, outscoring their opponents 40-20 in the process.
PREDICTION: Kings 3, Coyotes 2