March 14, 2017

For the 2nd night in a row, the Kings were dealt another devastating blow to their playoff hopes.  This time, a 3-2 loss to Arizona in shootout at Staples Center.  The shootout took 11 rounds, but the Coyotes prevailed on a goal by Anthony DeAngelo.

Even though the Kings got 1 point in the standings, it’s not nearly enough with just 13 games left in the season, and 4 points out of a playoff spot.  LA would need to win 10 of their final 13 games, and that’s if St. Louis or Edmonton play .500 hockey the rest of the way.

The Kings actually had the lead twice in this one.  After a scoreless 1st period, Tyler Toffoli scored his 1st of two goals on the night at the 5:03 mark of the 2nd period.  The Coyotes would tie things up in the 3rd period on Max Domi’s 8th goal of the season.  It looked like the Kings we’re going to come away with 2 points when Toffoli struck again on the power play with 1:36 left.  His 14th of the season.  However, the Coyotes would answer.  Domi would take advantage of a broken play in front of Kings goalie Ben Bishop, to tie the game with 45 seconds left.

In overtime, both teams had their chances, but Bishop and Coyotes goalie Louis Domingue made some big saves.  Arizona even had a 4-on-3 power play in the final seconds of OT, but the Kings managed to get the game to a shootout.

That set the stage for the drama in shootout.  Jeff Carter got things started off nicely for the Kings with a goal on a beautiful wrist shot that beat Domingue.  Brandon Perlini answered for the Coyotes with a goal of his own.  10 rounds later, Bishop and Domingue continued to make save after save, until DeAngelo won it for Arizona in the 11th round.

Bishop made 30 saves and played a strong game, but he’s still winless since being traded to the Kings.  Once again, the LA dominated on the stat sheet, but not on the scoresheet.  The Kings outshot the Coyotes 46-32, and dominated the faceoff circle 49-29.