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The Los Angeles Kings split their back-to-back set heading into the holiday break, falling to the Arizona Coyotes in a shootout last night, following an overtime win against the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
Against the Flames, we saw a pretty competitive game from both sides. The Kings had found themselves down on the very first shot they faced, with Sean Durzi turning the puck over at the offensive line and Jonathan Huberdeau going in on a breakaway, beating Pheonix Copley five-hole. Los Angeles did end up with a four-minute power play shortly after that though, and they had some great chances to tie it, but Daniel Vladar came up with some good saves. Just after it expired, the Kings once again gave up an odd-man rush after getting caught flat-footed at the line but ended up getting lucky with Chris Tanev hitting the post. There really wasn’t much going on at even strength in the frame, but with just over two minutes to go, Gabriel Vilardi managed to tip a shot past Vladar, tying the game.
The Kings were outplayed in the second frame though, being outshot 11-6. However, after getting through the period scoreless, Phillip Danault struck early in the third period, getting the puck in front and going to the backhand to beat Vladar. Then right off the ensuing faceoff, Gabriel Vilardi came in on a rush and while his shot was stopped, the puck popped into the air and it was batted in by Blake Lizotte, making it a 3-1 game. However, the Flames stormed back from there, first with Tyler Toffoli sniping a shot past Copley on a power play about five minutes later to cut the lead to one. Then after Kevin Fiala couldn't convert on a penalty shot, later on, Dillon Dube took a behind-the-back pass from Noah Hanifin to beat Copley, tying the game.
In overtime, the Flames ended up with a good chance to win it on a 2-on-1 about a minute in, but Copley came up with a save on Nazem Kadri. Later on, the Kings had a 2-on-1 of their own though and didn’t miss, as Adrian Kempe put a pass to Viktor Arvidsson, who then dished it right back to Kempe for a tap-in goal to win it.
Last night against Arizona though, it was a much lower-event game. Los Angeles started a bit slow in the first period, being outshot in the frame and not getting a whole lot going. The Coyotes then opened the scoring midway through the period on a 5-on-3, with Nick Schmaltz burying a cross-crease pass.
Los Angeles did respond with a better second period, controlling the play through most of the frame. Then on a power play of their own midway through the period, Alex Iafallo one-timed a shot past Karel Vejmelka, tying the game. It was a good bounce-back period, outshooting the Coyotes 15-4.
What followed was an extremely uneventful third period, with the first half of the frame especially providing just about no action. Mikey Anderson ended up getting called for a trip, but we saw only about three shots combined through the first 12 minutes. Neither team converted on their limited shots, and for the fourth time over the Kings’ last five games, they continued past regulation.
In overtime, Drew Doughty ended up taking an early tripping penalty, sending the Coyotes the the power play. While Arizona couldn’t convert on the man advantage, they had quite a few really good chances throughout the frame, including Shayne Gostisbehere wiring a shot off the post, put the Kings managed to survive to the shootout.
Jonathan Quick was able to make a nice stop on Nick Schmaltz in the first round, but Gabriel Vilardi was also denied by Vejmelka. Nick Bjugstad then made a great move to deke Quick and score on the open net to put Arizona ahead, while Trevor Moore wasn’t able to convert. Clayton Keller did miss the net after that, giving the Kings a chance to extend it, but Adrian Kempe was stopped on a nice save by Vejmelka, as Arizona took the extra point.
Both games of the back-to-back were fairly even, just very different stories. In the win over Calgary, the Kings were certainly generating their chances, but gave up a good number as well. Against the Coyotes though, much of the game provided little action, and despite the Kings taking a lot of penalties, the teams still combined for just 45 shots in regulation.
Obviously, it would’ve been great to go into the break with a win, but big-picture, the Kings have turned things around recently. Yes, their quality of competition has been very low for the last few games, but still, a 4-0-1 record over their past five games (including handing the Boston Bruins their second home loss of the season), is a big step.
Nearly halfway through the year, the Kings rank third in the Pacific Division in points percentage. They haven’t been perfect, but they’re certainly heading into the break with momentum, nonetheless.
The Kings will be back in action on Tuesday, when they host the Vegas Golden Knights.
Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate - the next article will come on Boxing Day, for a Kings’ World Juniors preview.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
Kings earn important home win over Coyotes
Kings end homestand with 4-2 loss to Hurricanes
Big first period propels Kings to win over Sens in first game of road trip
Kings suffer blowout loss against Maple Leafs
Kings split back-to-back with win over Canadiens, OT loss to Blue Jackets
Kings rebound to end road trip with win over Bruins, re-sign Trevor Moore
Trevor Moore scores second straight shootout winner as Kings beat Sharks
Kings now on three-game winning streak with victory over Ducks 
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