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Tonight, the Phoenix Coyotes make the trek to face the Los Angeles Kings that could have important playoff implications. It's the last meeting between these two Pacific Division rivals that could be a preview for the upcoming post-season series.
Good thing too as it's the third of the last game of the campaign - awesome to have important games that truly matter in the latter stages of the year.
Will the Kings hold on to their dictatorship? Can the Coyotes energize an uprising and gain the necessary advantage for the post-season?
The Coyotes return important components to their scoring attack and their defensive structure. Lauri Korpikoski and Taylor Pyatt are ready to see action; Ed Jovanovski comes back from orbital injury after suffering a vicious helmet-to-face hit against Atlanta on Feb. 17.
Korpikoski brings his 18 goals and 20 assists to bear along with his team leading plus-19 rating. JovoCop is JovoCop and hopefully he will be able to add some intensity along the blue line. It is the scenario that general manager Don Maloney dreamed of - Jovanovksi with Michal Rozsival and Rustislav Klesla. They have been trying to fill the void left behind with Zbynek Michalek's departure earlier this season.
The Kings have just as much to play for and with the San Jose Sharks demolishing them 6-1 in San Jose - expect them to be ready in front of their home crowd. They will not stand still and allow the Coyotes to take away points that could affect their post-season seeding/chances.
With the talent over there that includes the likes of Ryan Smyth and Dustin Penner, starting off the way they did against the Colorado Avalanche will not be a good idea. In fact, if the Coyotes can't get geared up for this game, they should be checked for a pulse.
Five For Winning
- Win and they're in.
- Win and they're in.
- Win and they're in.
- Win and they're in.
- Win and they're in.
Projected Goaltenders
Key Players
His veteran presence could help him add to his one goal and three assists in this series. He lit the lamp against the Dallas Stars and the Avalanche the last two games.
Captain Canada has had the Coyotes number by scoring a goal and three assists as well during this series matchup. With the absence of Anze Kopitar he will be heavily relied upon.