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Los Angeles Kings Host Arizona Coyotes Saturday Afternoon

By Eric Fleischmann

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Saturday afternoon the Los Angeles Kings will host the Arizona Coyotes at Staples Center.  Puck-drop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PST.

The Kings are coming off a fierce-some home-and-home against the St. Louis Blues.  L.A. split games with the Blues, losing on the road and winning at home.  The Kings 6-4 victory over St. Louis on Thursday was the Kings most recent game.

The Kings are currently tied for 3rd in the Pacific Division and 7th in the Western Conference with the Vancouver Canucks.  L.A. has a record of 16-11-6, giving the Kings 38 points.

Arizona is coming off a 2-1 overtime victory against the Edmonton Oilers.  The Coyotes are currently sixth in the Pacific Division, and 13th in the Western Conference.  In 31 games Arizona is 11-16-4, with 26 points.

In 2 meetings this season the Kings are 1-0-1 against the Coyotes.

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    • The Kings lineup for this afternoon’s matchup is as follows:

    Forwards: 

    Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Jeff Carter

    Dustin Brown – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams

    Tanner Pearson- Mike Richards – Tyler Toffoli

    Kyle Clifford – Trevor Lewis – Dwight King

    Defensemen: 

    Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty

    Alec Martinez – Matt Greene

    Brayden McNabb – Jamie McBain/ Jeff Schultz

    Goaltenders: 

    Jonathan Quick

    Martin Jones

    Jonathan Quick is expected to start for the Kings.  Quick has struggled recently, allowing 6 goals, and 5 goals in his last two consecutive starts against the Blues.  Quick’s save percentage has dropped as a result, but his numbers are still some of the best in the NHL.

    Quick’s save percentage is .927 which ranks 10th in the NHL.  In the last two games Quick dropped from 3rd to 10th as a result of two high-scoring games.

    There is some uncertainty on the Kings blue line.  Robyn Regehr will be scratched from the game after suffering an upper-body injury against the Blues on Thursday.  Regehr could miss the next two to three weeks of play.

    As a result Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi has recalled defensemen Jeff Schultz from L.A.’s American Hockey League affiliate the Manchester Monarchs.

    Either Schultz or Jamie McBain will step in for Regehr.  The Kings haven’t revealed who it’s going to be yet, so expect both players to skate out during warm-ups and the one that dresses will be a game time decision.

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    • Coyote players to keep an eye on:

    Shane Doan is a career Coyote and will play his 100th game against the Kings this afternoon.  In 99 games against L.A. Doan has 36 goals, 40 assists, and 76 points.  Doan has more points against the Kings than any other team in the NHL.

    Doan is currently 4th on the Coyotes with 16 points in 31 games this season.  Doan has 7 goals, 19 penalty minutes and is a -10.  Doan’s a physical player for his veteran age, and has a dangerous shot.  His favorite place to create havoc on the ice and score from is the front of his opponents net.

    As history repeats itself, the Kings should realize this is Doan’s spot and be aware of his presence in front.

    Martin Hanzel is questionable for this game, as he was away from team activities yesterday to be with his wife who gave birth to the couples new daughter.  Lauri Korpikoski is doubtful for the game with a lower-body injury, and Michael Stone is out with an upper-body injury.

    Mikkel Boedker is a dangerous sniper for the Coyotes.  Boedker’s been up and down this season, but he’s still 3rd on the team with 20 points.  Boedker also leads Arizona with 9 goals.  Boedker has a tremendous shot, and loves to rip wrist shots from the outside edge of the slot, toward the curvature of the face-off circles.

    Devan Dubnyk will start in goal for the Coyotes.  Arizona’s goaltending has been a weak spot this season.  Dubnyk has been better than Mike Smith this year, posting a .922 save percentage and a 2.56 goals against average.

    The Kings need to put traffic in front and get the puck to the net often.

    An afternoon game against a Pacific Division rival, it’s a game the Kings need to win.  Enjoy the early afternoon hockey and as always . . .

    Go Kings Go!

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