The Los Angeles Kings took on the Arizona Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale on Thursday night. Los Angeles dominated the flow of play, on the way to a 4-0 win.
L.A.’s backup goaltender Martin Jones started the game and got the win and shutout.
Dec 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) shoots and scores during the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dustin Brown opened the scoring for the Kings in the first period.
Nine-minutes into the game Brown intercepted a pass from Kyle Chipchura in the neutral zone. Brown cut in on a breakaway and wristed a quick shot low-blocker past Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith.
The Captain was at it again in the second period. Three-seconds before the 10 minute mark the Kings took the puck on a fast-break out of their zone. Kyle Clifford made a cross-ice, boards-to-boards pass over to Brown. Brown brought the puck into the Coyotes zone on a 3-on-2, with two Arizona back-checkers trying to desperately catch up to the play. Brown slowed up, cut to the center, and wristed another sniper over kneeling defensemen David Schlemko, and over the shoulder of Smith. 2-0 Kings; two Brownie points.
Dec 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) scores on Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Later in the period the Kings were working the puck along the blue line on the power-play, with Chipchura in the box for high-sticking Jordan Nolan. Dustin Brown, Alec Martinez and Brayden McNabb were passing back-and-forth. Brown moved the puck over to Martinez in the middle, at the top of the zone. Martinez fired a shot that was tipped by Jarret Stoll in front of the net and redirected into the goal.
With 4:19 left in the second, after Stoll’s power-play goal, Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett had enough and pulled Mike Smith from the net, replacing him with Devan Dubnyk.
Smith allowed 3 goals in 20 shots through 35:41 of game time.
The third period was the Alec Martinez show. Martinez certainly showed the Kings he is worth the investment a day after signing his new contract.
Halfway through the third period, on another power-play Justin Williams came out of the corner and passed the puck to Martinez, at his center of the ice high-point position in the Kings power-play umbrella. Martinez passed it back to Williams, who cut toward the center of the ice, spun around and passed it back to Martinez on his backhand. Martinez fired a snap-shot through traffic, Dustin Brown’s screen, and Dubnyk. 4-0 Kings.
The Kings now have back-to-back shutouts, one for each goaltender: Jonathan Quick, and tonight Martin Jones.
It’s good to have Alec Martinez back in the lineup, there has been a noticeable difference in the Kings game. Martinez has helped the Kings return to form with their shut-down defense. He’s also elevated the Kings power-play, on which he had a goal and assist tonight.
The Justin Williams – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown line was on the ice for all four of the Kings goals. In 7 of the Kings last 10 games at least one player has a point. Over that stretch each player in the trio has 8 points. Head coach Darryl Sutter’s reuniting The Captain – DB – Dustin Brown, and Mr. Game 7 – JW – Justin Williams; has ignited a fire in both players. In the Kings last five games the three have accounted for 5 of the Kings 14 goals. Not quite the level that That 70’s Line achieved earlier in the season, but still a good chunk of L.A.’s production.
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Jones had his work cut out for him, stopping 26 shots. Jones was awarded first star honors for his effort. It was Jones’ second shutout of the season. In six starts Jones now has a record of 3-2-0-1, with an impressive .947 save percentage and a 1.42 goals against average.
Jones personally has back-to-back shutouts after blanking the Minnesota Wild in L.A.’s 4-0 win on November 26th. Jones now has six career shutouts in 24 starts.
It’s been stated before, but Jones has shown in his play that he really is more of a 1A goalie, as opposed to a #2 or backup. Which is great news for Los Angeles.
The Kings pummeled Arizona in shots 43-26, while going 2-for-3 on the power-play and killing off both penalties when a man down.
L.A.’s next game is Saturday, December 6th, against the Philadelphia Flyers. Puck-drop is slated for 1:00 p.m. PST at Staples Center. After Saturday the Kings will embark on a five game road-trip of the Northeast, visiting Buffalo, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and ending in St. Louis.
Dec 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring goal in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports