Coyotes at Kings
The Los Angeles Kings look to clinch a playoff berth when they host the Pacific Division-rival Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday. Los Angeles, which is third in the division, will secure a spot in the postseason with a triumph over the Coyotes, who enter the contest on the outside looking in. Phoenix is even in points with Dallas, but the Stars occupy the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference by virtue of having played one fewer game.
The Kings had their six-game winning streak snapped Monday as they dropped a 3-2 decision to Minnesota. The Coyotes were let down by their offense a second straight time Tuesday, tallying just once for the second game in a row en route to a 2-1 shootout loss to Winnipeg. After allowing seven goals in a setback against Los Angeles in the first meeting of the season, Phoenix has yielded a total of four tallies in the next three matchups - all victories.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN
ABOUT THE COYOTES (36-27-13): Thomas Greiss is expected to make his fifth straight start in place of the injured Mike Smith (leg), who will be re-evaluated over the weekend. The 28-year-old Greiss has played well while filling in, going 2-1-1 while allowing fewer than three tallies in each contest. Defenseman Zbynek Michalek scored Phoenix's lone goal on Tuesday, his first since Feb. 1 against Pittsburgh.
ABOUT THE KINGS (44-26-6): Marian Gaborik finally is getting comfortable with his new team, as he has registered a goal and four assists over his last four games after collecting four points in his first nine contests after being acquired from Columbus. Alec Martinez's surge continued Monday, when he scored his second goal in three games. The defenseman has notched seven tallies and five assists over his last 15 contests.
OVERTIME
1. The Kings need two wins to match the club record set in 1990-91.
2. The Coyotes have lost in regulation only three times in their last 11 games (7-3-2).
3. Los Angeles split the first two contests of its three-game homestand and has one more contest at Staples Center remaining - the season finale on Apr. 12 against Anaheim.