Arizona Coyotes Drop Matinee In Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 Saturday afternoon. Arizona played really well for about two periods, but they couldn’t hold on and the defending Stanley Cup champions once again downed the Coyotes.
It only took 15 seconds into the game before Arizona was in the penalty box. The Coyotes killed off the penalty and played really well through the entire period. Everything was in sync and the team was energized. The defense was solid and the offense sustained some pressure with some quality scoring opportunities.
Devan Dubnyk stood on his head making hard saves look easy. Arizona was outshot 14-8 in the period, but that was very misleading as to how the team played in the first.
Unfortunately, one mistake would be enough to give Los Angeles the lead. A clearing attempt in the Coyotes’ zone was turned over and Jeff Carter beat Dubnyk far side, top corner from just outside the crease. That would be all the scoring in the period, but despite the goal, Arizona continued to play a solid game for the rest of the period.
The Coyotes continued their energized style of play in the second period and it would pay off for them this time around.
Early in the period, Martin Hanzal hustled up the ice tied up with a Kings’ player, but was still able to get a shot off. The shot went off a Kings’ player and took a weird bounce over Jonathan Quick and into the net.
Later in the period, the Coyotes brought some offensive zone pressure and Kyle Chipchura shot a puck that also hit a Kings’ player and took a funny bounce that went over Quick to give Arizona the 2-1 lead.
The offensive zone time for the Coyotes died off a bit as the Kings took control of the period. The Coyotes defense and especially Dubnyk, played great keeping the lead intact for the most part. They wouldn’t be able to hold off Los Angeles for the whole period, however. Very late in the period, the Kings were able to tie the game up on an abbreviated power play.
The third period didn’t start off great for Arizona. Hanzal took another penalty and immediately off the initial power play face off, Alec Martinez scored and the Kings went up 3-2.
The final period wasn’t even close as the Kings stepped up their game and completely out played Arizona. Coyotes had a power play midway through the period, but couldn’t even get a shot on net with the man advantage. The Kings put the nail in the coffin with a late goal and that would be it for the game. Arizona pulled Dubnyk for an extra attacker but was still unable to score.
Game Notes
- Today’s game marked the 900th game in Dave Tippett’s coaching career.
- Michael Stone and Lauri Korpikoski were both out due to injuries.
- Coyotes were 0-3 on the power play.
- Coyotes were outshot 35-18
Goals:
Arizona Coyotes:
- Martin Hanzal (6th)
- Kyle Chipchura (2nd)
Los Angeles Kings:
- Jeff Carter (9th)
- Marian Gaborik (10th)
- Alec Martinez (4th)
- Trevor Lewis (5th)
Three Stars
- Anze Kopitar (LA)
- Jamie McBain (LA)
- Jeff Carter (LA)