Arizona Coyotes: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Coyotes Face Kings In Final Matchup Of The Season

The Arizona Coyotes are set to take on the Pacific Division leading Los Angeles Kings at Gila River Arena tonight. With three games on tap in four nights, the way the Coyotes begin the second half of the season could have big repercussions down the road.

On a scale of one to pretty rough, the Arizona Coyotes are on tap for a pretty rough test as they return to action this week.

With the Kings, Blackhawks, and Ducks all on tap, the Coyotes are facing a murderers row of high end talent and two teams riding high at the top of their respective divisions.

Facing off against the LA Kings tonight, the Yotes have “Beat LA!” three of four times this season and hold a 3-0-1 record against the silver and black clad Californian team.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has four goals and one assist against the Kings this season. He’s not exactly Jaime Lannister, but he’s certainly not someone the Kings want to see on the ice moving the puck in Jonathan Quick‘s direction.

Speaking of players no one wants to see on the ice (and that goes for fans of both teams, at times), let’s talk about Lucic.

The last time the Arizona Coyotes had the Kings on their turf, Milan Lucic got a little frisky after a Kevin Connauton slash and sucker punched Connauton in the back of the head.

Lucic was suspended for a game, but it seems unlikely that the drama will end there for either team. Then again, there always seems to be some sort of tiff going when these two teams meet.

Last but not least, Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett will be behind the bench for his 1000th game tonight. That is a lot of ties and suits.

Coyotes Talk

Arizona Coyotes exit All-Star Break with many questions and few answers [Five For Howling – Brendan Porter]

"More problematic for the Coyotes is their continued reliance on good luck to buoy their bad possession numbers. The Coyotes’ 47.2 5v5 Corsi For Percentage is actually worse than the mark the team set last season. The difference is Arizona’s PDO went from 97.2 last season (2nd worst in the league) to 101.0 (tied for 4th highest). Their shooting percentage at even-strength went from 5.7% last year (on par with what this year’s Anaheim Ducks are shooting) to 8.4% this year."

Playoff berth within reach for Arizona Coyotes once season resumes [AZCentral – Sarah McLellan]

Oliver Ekman-Awesome: Evolution of Ekman-Larsson [Along The Boards – Sarah Hall]

"He has been the top pair defenseman for three seasons and has been paired with a veteran and less experienced defensemen. In the 2014-15 season he recorded a 51.6 CF percent in a season where the Coyotes were second worst in the league. He was the shining spot that season for many reasons, including his 23 goals. So far this season he is at a 51.2 CF percent and that will likely trend up as the Coyotes make a push for the playoffs."

Phoenix finds buyer for downtown Sheraton hotel [AZCentral – Dustin Gardiner]

"Selling the hotel also could free up money for the city to help build a new downtown arena for the Phoenix Suns, and possibly the Arizona Coyotes, a prospect city leaders have talked about."

Domingue Named NHL’s Rookie of the Month

[Howlin’ Hockey]

Around The NHL

Casting ‘John Scott: The Movie,’ as All-Star MVP gets film offers [Puck Daddy – Greg Wyshynski]

"John Scott has said his journey from unlikely fan vote winner to NHL All-Star Game MVP was something that couldn’t have been scripted better. It appears some filmmakers are willing to see if they can try."

Jagr still doing the trick 25 years later [NHL.com – Dave Stubbs]

AHL California move proves ‘what we needed’ for western NHL teams [Puck Daddy – Josh Cooper]

Next: Coyotes Jersey History; Which Jersey Was #1?

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