Arizona Coyotes Beat Los Angeles Kings To Earn First Win

The Arizona Coyotes defeated division rival and defending Stanley Cup champions the Los Angeles Kings Saturday night to pick their first win of the 2014-15 season.  Devan Dubnyk was given the start over Mike Smith in net and Oliver Ekman-Larsson picked up the game winning goal in overtime.

Unfortunately the game started out the way opening night did. A costly turnover by Lauri Korpikoski leads to an early Kings goal by Tanner Pearson at 1:32 of the first period. It seemed things were calming down a bit after that. The Coyotes were getting shots on goal and held some pressure on a power play. But just over 11 minutes after the first Kings goal, Jeff Carter makes it a 2-0 Kings lead on a Michael Stone turnover.

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Despite the 2-0 deficit and thoughts of “here we go again”, the Coyotes kept at it. They put shot after shot on

until finally finding the back of the net on the power play.

tipped in a

shot cutting the lead in half with only 39 seconds left in the first period.

The second period was almost all Coyotes. They lead the Kings by a considerable margin of shots on goal. Coyotes outshot the Kings 14-3 in the second period. As the period went on, it became apparent that it was only a matter of time before the Coyotes would tie the game up. Near the half way point of the second period, Mikkel Boedker is sprung by Keith Yandle on a bad Kings line change for a breakaway and seals the deal, putting it behind Quick.

The third period was back a little more back and forth but the Coyotes still continued to dominate the shots on goal category. Each team coming close but the goalies stood tall keeping it a tied game. With only 2:47 left in the third period, Shane Doan appeared to have scored the go ahead goal during a scrum in front of the net but the goal was waived off by the officials. The officials called Doan for interference and he was sent to the penalty box. The Coyotes killed off the ensuing penalty. Devan Dubnyk, came up with a big save as Tyler Toffoli came in with a quality scoring chance with 11 seconds left in the game.

With 1:19 left in the overtime period, Toffoli was called for hooking. The Coyotes would make the most of this power play. There was only 19 seconds left in OT when Oliver Ekman-Larsson beat Quick top corner glove side with a wrist shot as captain Shane Doan set up the screen in front of the net.

Goals

Coyotes:

Antoine Vermette (1)

Mikkel Boedker (2)

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (1)

Kings:

Tanner Pearson (1)

Jeff Carter (1)

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson
2. Keith Yandle
3. Devan Dubnyk