After the Arizona Coyotes started their seven game homestand 2-0-1, they have lost three straight games in regulation. A win tonight against the LA Kings would salvage the homestand, while a loss will find the Arizona Coyotes further losing their grasp on a playoff position.
The Arizona Coyotes play the Los Angeles Kings tonight in the final game of a seven game homestand.
After four straight losses on home ice, a win here would allow them to salvage the stand at 3-3-1 and catapult them back into playoff position over the Vancouver Canucks.
A loss puts yet another dent in the Coyotes’ playoff dreams. The problem? The Kings are one of the best teams in the league.
Furthering the issue is the fact that LA also has allowed the second fewest goals against per game of any team in the NHL this season. That’s a daunting assignment for a Coyotes offense that hasn’t scored more than one goal in it’s last three games and scored just four total goals in it’s past four games combined.
For the Coyotes, a big key at this point will simply be getting on the board first. The Arizona Coyotes have developed a nasty habit of giving up early goals and attempting to play catchup in the second or third periods.
“Our starts have been poor, and we’ve been chasing games,” center Boyd Gordon told AZCentral’s Sarah McLellan. “I think we gotta come out with that urgency right now. Hopefully if we do that, we give ourselves a better chance to win games.”
In the midst of their worst goal-scoring drought of the season, they cannot afford to get behind to a Los Angeles Kings team that would love nothing more than to clamp down and choke the life out of them after securing an early lead.
In the Coyotes favor, however, has been their play against these stingy Kings.
The Arizona Coyotes are 2-0-1 against Los Angeles this season, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (3 goals, 1 assist in 3 games) and Martin Hanzal (2 goals, 2 assists in 2 games) have been particularly effective against them.
The Coyotes have scored 10 goals in the previous three matchups as well as notching the first tally in two of the three games, so they know if they can get going early they can score in bunches against their division rival.
Another notable issue to watch for in tonight matchup with the Kings is the effect that penalties may have on the contest.
The Kings have the 6th best power play in the NHL, while the Arizona Coyotes’ penalty kill ranks 28th in the league and has been struggling tremendously in recent weeks. If the Yotes can’t avoid the penalty box and allow the Kings a couple of chances, this game could easily get out of hand.
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Despite a poor penalty kill, one thing that hasn’t been lacking in the Coyotes’ recent play has been goaltending.
The rise of Louis Domingue has been one of the best stories of the season.
Domingue will pit his .927 save percentage against Jonathan Quick (.922 save percentage) tonight at Gila River Arena, looking to secure his first win since December 12th.
If the Arizona Coyotes can find some early goals or otherwise stymie the Kings’ league best 5-on-5 possession game, they may be able to squeak out a victory at home and put their best foot forward as they head on the road again Monday.