After a season of heartache and frustration, the Arizona Coyotes are looking like a competitive club in the Pacific Division. Despite occasional trips along the way the Coyotes are playing solid hockey and are not intimidated.
Such was the case Tuesday night when they edged the Los Angeles Kings, 3-2.
Former LA King Brad Richardson‘s goal midway through the third period proved to be the game-winner.
“I played with them for five years and it’s just a heavy game,” Richardson said. “It’s all below the dots, working it. They played it to a T the way we wanted to and we let them play that way in first and they took it to us, but then we had a little bit of composure and started making the plays and we got them on their heels a little bit.”
Martin Hanzal added two goals for the Coyotes.
“We played a real disciplined road game tonight; just tried not to do too much,” Arizona coach Dave Tippett said. “The first period we weren’t skating and turned over the puck. As we got going, we got a little better.”
The Kings fell to 9-6-0 on the season.
“Our d-zone was not very good tonight and that’s a staple of our game,” Kings captain Dustin Brown said. “When we are winning and playing well, we are not giving up chances and we’re much cleaner in our own zone.”
Mike Smith was back in goal after a couple of shaky starts and made 33 saves for the win, his 100th in the Arizona nets.
Jonathan Quick had 22 saves in the loss.
Brown and Tyler Toffoli scored for LA; Brown broke a long scoring drought with his marker.
“I hope he (Brown) remembers how he did it,” Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. “He’s got to play a power game. I’m not sure that was part of his game tonight. The goal didn’t mean nothing in the end.”
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