Coyotes end Kings’ playoff hopes with road victory
Apr 2, 2017, 10:39 PM | Updated: 10:47 pm
Arizona Coyote center Alexander Burmistrov, of Russia, right, scores on a shot past Los Angles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 2, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Hartog)
(AP Photo/Richard Hartog)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Duclair scored 3:09 into the second period, Mike Smith made 34 saves and the Arizona Coyotes beat Los Angeles 2-1 Sunday night, ending the Kings’ slim playoff hopes.
Alexander Burmistrov scored a power-play goal and Oliver Ekman-Larsson had two assists for the Coyotes, who followed up an impressive 6-3 win over Presidents’ Trophy-leading Washington by guaranteeing the Kings would miss the postseason for the second time in three seasons.
Alec Martinez was credited with a power-play goal and Jonathan Quick made 13 saves for Los Angeles, which needed to win its final five games and have Nashville lose each of its last three in regulation to reach the playoffs.
Burmistrov was waiting on the far post for Ekman-Larsson’s pass to put the Coyotes ahead 1-0 with 13 seconds left in the opening period. Pouncing on the rebound after Quick stopped his initial shot, Burmistrov scored his third power-play goal of the season.
Duclair then followed up his own shot early in the second, recording his first goal since Dec. 29.
Not even a glimmer of hope to make the postseason could energize the Kings’ dismal offense, which was held to two goals or fewer for the ninth time in their last 11 games. Los Angeles rarely challenged Smith, who has won four straight at Staples Center, and its only goal came on a bizarre bounce in the third.
Martinez intended to dump the puck into the Coyotes’ zone on a slap shot from center ice when it deflected off Jordan Martinook at the blue line and into the open goal, cutting the Kings’ deficit to 2-1 with 15:39 remaining. Smith was leaving his crease to play the puck behind the net and could not respond in time to the unlikely change in direction.
Despite getting three more looks on the power play, the Kings never came up with the tying goal.
Quick delivered a remarkable kick save in the opening period to deny Peter Holland’s shot into an open net, sticking out his left leg parallel to the ice and keeping out the puck with his pads.
NOTES: Coyotes D Alex Goligoski had an assist, extending his streak of games with a point to four. … Referee Mike Leggo officiated his 1,213th and final game of his 21-season career.
UP NEXT
Coyotes: Visit the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
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