‘Yotes Notes: Phoenix ends scoreless streak, still suffers another loss to Kings

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a hockey game. So, we will give you ‘Yotes Notes, providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from the Coyotes’ 3-2 loss to the Kings on March 19.

The Good:

Shane Doan deflected a shot from the point by Keith Yandle at the 11:28 mark of the third period to end the Coyotes’ scoreless streak after 245 minutes and 33 seconds of game action.

If not for Doan’s goal the Coyotes would have joined the Oakland Seals as the only NHL teams to go scoreless in four straight games since 1929-30.

Doan later added his second goal of the night, but it was all for naught as Phoenix dropped its fifth straight on the road.

Radim Vrbata came back Tuesday night after missing 14 straight games with a cracked bone in his foot, so there’s also that.

The Bad:

While Doan’s goal kept Phoenix from becoming the answer to a dubious piece of trivia, the Coyotes still continue to struggle on offense, especially the power play units. Phoenix was 0-of-3 on the power play and had little else to show for its 42 shots on net.

Mike Smith rebounded from a forgettable performance Monday night, but his defense certainly let him down Tuesday.

On Dustin Penner’s first period goal, Justin Williams fed the Kings winger with a soft pass from behind the net. Neither Matthew Lombardi nor Michael Stone could get a stick on the puck, and Penner, who stood firmly outside the crease, happily converted on his second goal of the season.

In the second, Drew Doughty beat Smith top shelf, but the Phoenix netminder had no shot as he was blocked out by Antoine Vermette and Derek Morris. It should also be noted that Doughty’s scoring chance resulted from a poor clear by the Coyotes.

Noted:

• Dating back to the 2012 Western Conference Finals, the Coyotes have lost seven of their last nine against the Kings.

• The Coyotes’ four-game losing streak is the longest of the season. Phoenix hasn’t won on the road since February 26 at Vancouver.

• Doan became the first player in the last eight seasons to have nine shots or more and 11 hits or more in the same game.

• With the loss, Phoenix moved to 13-13-4 on the season. Dave Tippett’s squad hasn’t had an even win-loss record since February 14.

Up Next:

The Coyotes come back to town on Thursday to host the Vancouver Canucks at Jobing.com Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.