Coyotes vs LA Kings
Puck Drops at 7:00 PM at the Jobing.com Arena
TV: FSN AZ (HD) Radio: XTRA 910

The Kings and Coyotes re-new their rivalry for the fifth time this evening at the Jobing.com arena. This will be a great test for the Coyotes and their defense as the Kings have pretty much had the Coyotes number for the majority of the season.

What’s going to be needed is a continuation of the amazing 60 minutes of hockey that the Coyotes displayed against the Ducks AND the Blue Jackets.

Both teams are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and the Kings will have both Ryan Smyth and Wayne Simmonds back in the lineup.

Things to watch:

The Kings – This is the first game the kings have played since the 17th of this month and they may be rusty…rested, but rusty.

Keys to the game:

Consistency – The Coyotes need to maintain their amazing smothering defense that they displayed against the Ducks and the Blue Jackets

Keep the Kings shooters off the scoreboard – The Coyotes played an amazing defensive game against the ducks keeping ALL of their top scorers off the box score. Now that the Kings are back at full strength, the Kings most potent offensive weapons are back as well. The Coyotes going to need to raise their game to a new level against the Kings.

Offense – The Coyotes are going to need to jump on every mistake the Kings may make in the Offensive zone. The Coyotes are going to need to jump on every opportunity in the Kings defensive zone and prevent the Kings from gaining any advantage.

Special Teams – Coyotes have got to become better on the Power Play. If there is a weakness in the Coyotes overall system/game it’s the Power Play unit.

Notes:

- The Coyotes will officially be celebrating Coyotes Captain Shane Doans 1000th game as a Coyote tonight.

Scratches/Injuries:

Kings: Randy Jones, Jarret Stoll
Coyotes: Kurt Sauer

Officials:
Referees – Kyle Rehman, Dennis LaRue
Linesmen – Jay Sharrers, Ryan Galloway