The Coyotes are set to play two games this week against the Kings as they look to build upon their hot start.
This week, it’s all about the Los Angeles Kings.
The Arizona Coyotes are set to play the Kings both on Tuesday and Friday, once on the road and once at home.
While the Coyotes have been great to start the season holding a 3-2 record, playing Los Angeles will be a huge test for this young team.
The Kings are considered as one of the best teams in the Western Conference. They have a very talented forward corps that includes Kevin Fiala, Anze Kopitar, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Adrian Kempe.
Right now, the Coyotes have defeated one playoff caliber team in the New Jersey Devils but beating the Kings would be another huge confidence boost and a statement that Arizona is no pushover.
To be successful against Los Angeles, the Coyotes have to generate some more chances in a five-on-five setting.
Through the first five games of the season, the Coyotes power play has looked exceptional but even strength play is still something they need to improve upon. Both of Arizona’s goals in their last game against the Anaheim Ducks came on the man advantage.
It’s clear the Coyotes have the players both offensively and defensively to generate plays through their speed including Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Logan Cooley, Matias Maccelli, Sean Durzi, Matt Dumba and Juuso Välimäki. The key will be trying to get as many shots on net as possible against the Kings in order to produce more scoring opportunities.
The play of Keller and Schmaltz will be key for the Coyotes over these next two games as they have been the team’s leading source of offensive production. Both are playing the most minutes out of all Coyotes forwards while they each lead the team with six points respectively.
At goaltending, expect Connor Ingram and Karel Vejmelka to split time once again. This continues to be the common theme so far to start the year and the dual goaltender strategy has been working so it’s unlikely coach André Tourigny changes anything.
It won’t be an easy two games for the Coyotes by any means, but these are the matchups they need to win as the team attempts to become more competitive.