Kings return home to face Coyotes
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings start a two-game homestand when they face the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night at Staples Center.
The Kings (27-19-5) return home after a four-game road trip (2-2-0) that concluded with a 5-0 loss to the Nashville Predators on Thursday night that halted a two-game winning streak. Goaltender Jonathan Quick returned from injured reserve that caused him to miss two regular-season games and the All-Star break to make 31 saves but received no support from his teammates.
Los Angeles was short-handed three times in the first period and Nashville converted two power-play opportunities on the way to a 3-0 first-period lead that decided the game. The Kings were unable to deal with consistent pressure from the Predators forecheck as they suffered their second shutout of the season.
Coach John Stevens was critical of his team performance on Friday and ran them through a full practice, which had several regulars missing. Winger Tanner Pearson was out due to illness while defenseman Derek Forbort (upper-body) and Alec Martinez (lower-body) were absent and termed day-to-day.
"We got pushed off pucks all over the ice, didn't check very well at all and gave up a ton of chances and created very little," Stevens said. "It's just a really good reminder of the way you need to play, and when you don't play that way, what happens."
The Kings remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and point to the contest against the last-place Coyotes to get back on track. Arizona has won the lone game between the teams this season, registering a 3-2 overtime win at Gila River Arena on Nov. 24. If the Kings are to secure a playoff berth, they must improve their play inside the Pacific Division, losing 12 of 18 games (6-9-3), making the pair of games against the Coyotes and Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night a pivotal platform ahead of a seven-game road trip that starts in Florida on Feb. 9.
While among the best defensive teams in the league (2.47 goals against per game), Los Angeles' struggles offensively are the primary reason for its 3-7-0 record in their last 10 games. Wingers Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli have struggled as they await the return of their regular center Jeff Carter, who has been sidelined with an ankle tendon injury since October. Pearson has registered four goals in his last 20 games while Toffoli has not scored in nine games. Opponents have increased their focus on shutting down the Kings' top line featuring center Anze Kopitar and the lack of support from the supporting cast has been a central theme in defeats.
Arizona (12-30-9) starts a three-game road trip in the midst of a two-game losing streak, dropping a 4-1 decision at home to Dallas on Thursday night. Kevin Connauton scored the lone goal and Scott Wedgewood made 21 saves as the Coyotes dropped the seventh of their last nine contests.
Starting goaltender Antti Niemi's status is questionable as he recovers from an automobile accident he was involved in Thursday afternoon. Though the Coyotes did not specify any injury, they recalled goaltender Adin Hill on an emergency basis from AHL affiliate Tucson on Friday. He has posted a 9-10-1 record with a .905 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average with two shutouts in 20 games with Tucson this season. Both Niemi and Hill traveled to Los Angeles on Friday and a decision will be made after Saturday's morning skate.
"It's Antti's call," coach Rick Tocchet said. "It's one of those sorts of things where if he feels good he'll come to me and tell me. It's basically a wait-and-see approach."
