The Coyotes were unable to overcome their early struggles against the Kings resulting in a 6-3 loss.
The Arizona Coyotes couldn’t overcome their early struggles as they lost 6-3 to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.
Despite an early goal from Jack McBain in the first period, the Kings took over scoring three quick unanswered goals.
The Coyotes have had a great system switching off between Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram in net. However, after Ingram’s early struggles in this game letting up three goals on just nine shots, coach André Tourigny decided to pull Ingram in favor of Vejmelka.
It’s not clear if this affects Tourigny’s strategy but it’s possible that Vejmelka settles into a more traditional starting goaltender role following tonight debacle.
This game could have easily gotten out of hand but to the Coyotes credit, they continued playing their brand of hockey and did not make anything easy for Los Angeles at all.
Arizona scored two goals in the second period including one on the power play from Clayton Keller who tallied his fourth goal of the season. It was assisted by none other than Logan Cooley as he set Keller up perfectly for his fifth assist.
While the Coyotes kept the pressure up in the final 20 minutes, they were unable to capitalize on opportunities which haunted them down the stretch.
It was the Coyotes power play that was the bright spot of the night. The team’s first unit of Keller, Cooley, Nick Schmaltz, Barrett Hayton and Sean Durzi continued to build upon their excellent start to the year, generating great scoring chances and maintaining puck possession.
Despite being thrown into this game midway through the first period, Vejmelka settled in well making 16 saves while giving up two goals on 18 shots.
The Kings are one of the best teams in the Western Conference and it seemed their talent was overwhelming for Arizona to start, but the Coyotes responded and played to their opponents level which is not easy especially against this Los Angeles team.
The Coyotes will have an opportunity for revenge as they take on the Kings this Friday at Mullett Arena.