Coyotes vs Kings
Stapler Center – Puck Drops at 8:30 PM
Game will be broadcast on FSN AZ (HD) and XTRA 910 AM

Coyotes are hosting a Viewing Party for fans tonight at Oggis in Glendale. Details:

http://coyotes.azvibe.com/2009/11/20/coyotes-host-game-viewing-parties-for-all-fans/

The Coyotes and Kings re-new their rivalry tonight at the Stapler Center in Los Angeles. Both teams are on hot streaks at the moment as the Kings are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and the Coyotes are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and are riding a five game winning streak.

Even with Kings forward Ryan Smyth and if both teams are on their game out the game has the ability to be a very close and tight battle. As the San Jose Sharks are more than likely going to win the division, the next battle for the Pacific will be the Coyotes and the Kings and each battle is crucial for division and playoff positioning.

This is going to be a great battle if both teams are on their game tonight.

Things to watch for:

Kings Power Play vs The Coyotes Penalty Kill units – The Kings Rank 10th in the league on the Power Play and the Coyotes 7th in the NHL on the Penalty Kill. Both teams have the ability to change games with a single play

The Coyotes as a Team – They’re on a season high five game winning streak right now and tonight is the perfect test for the Coyotes. As I’ve said before, this Coyotes team has the ability to beat any team in the league. This includes even the high power offense of the Kings.

Keys to the game:

Keep things tight on defense – The Kings are extremely potent in their Offensive Zone so the Coyotes need to bring their discipline and their ‘A’ games in general for a full 60 minutes.

Stay out of the penalty box – Don’t give the Kings the opportunity to go on the Power Play.

Step up in the scoring department – As we have seen as of late, many of the players who have not really contributed in the scoring department have started to (Prucha, Pyatt, Mueller etc). If they can find that way keep getting on the score board, this team is going to be more dangerous than before.

Players who are out of the lineup:

Kings: Andrei Loktionov (Upper Body), Brandon Segal (Lower Body), Ryan Smyth (Upper Body)
Coyotes: Ed Jovanovski (2 Game suspension), Kurt Sauer

Officials:
Referees: Justin St. Pierre, Steve Kozari
Linesmen: Andy McElman, Vaughan Rody