In Glendale, the Arizona Coyotes were eliminated from the West race for a playoff spot. Really, they were out of contention for weeks.
On Wednesday night, Arizona lost for the 12th time in 15 games.
“This group never lost hope, this group battles but it just wasn’t enough,” the Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun said. “We all have really learned from this last stretch of games here because we just didn’t get the job done.”
You cannot lose that many games and expect anyone around you to have any hope.
The Los Angeles Kings doubled-up Arizona, 4-2, to end any hope.
Calvin Petersen made 28 saves to get the win.
Chychrun and Oliver Ekman-Larsson were the Arizona strikers.
Anze Kopitar picked up his 1,000th NHL point with an assist in the LA win.
“He’s one of my favorite players,” Arizona head coach Rick Tocchet said. “He plays the game the right way. If he cheated a little bit more [defensively] he could probably get 15 to 20 points more a year. I know he could. But he plays a 200-foot game and takes every important draw. He’s classy and I love the way he plays the game.”
Kopitar is the fourth Los Angeles player to hit for 1,000 points.
“It’s incredible for him. We’re all along for the ride,” Los Angeles head coach Todd McLellan said. “He makes everybody better, including the coaching staff, and his passion and energy for the game are contagious. … I can’t wait to see him get the next 500.”
Gabriel Vilardi struck for two goals for the Kings.
“I’ve said all along that makes it more special,” Kopitar said. “It’s great to be part of this club, and hopefully there’s a few more to come.”
Sean Walker and Jaret Anderson-Dolan also scored for LA.
Adin Hill made 18 saves in the loss.
“For the most part, I think guys gave effort, but it’s tough when you don’t have the kind of ability to make that next play,” Tocchet said. “They had some chances and they scored goals. We didn’t. It’s just the story of the last six weeks, pretty well the whole year.”
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