Dylan Guenther scores in Coyotes preseason-opening win

The Arizona Coyotes defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 at Gila River Arena in Monday night’s preseason opener.

Winger Dylan Guenther, Arizona’s 2021 first-round pick, scored the go-ahead goal off of a rebound at the 9:21 mark in the third period.

The 18-year-old rookie spent 12:59 on the ice and put up three shots.

Los Angeles got on the board first, with defenseman Sean Walker scoring at 8:53 in the second period.

Arizona responded roughly six minutes later, as veteran winger and offseason trade acquisition Loui Eriksson finished a wrist shot. Guenther and center Nick Schmaltz assisted.

Defenseman Cameron Crotty and forward Liam O’Brien also picked up points for the Coyotes.

“We battled hard in front of their net, and we had a lot of shots where we had traffic,” head coach André Tourigny said during his postgame press conference. “I think that has to be part of our identity.”

Guenther was the first star of the game, with Eriksson coming in second and goalie Josef Korenar finishing third.

Korenar, who started seven games for the San Jose Sharks last season, split time in net with rookie Anson Thornton. They combined for 35 saves on 36 shots. Los Angeles out-shot Arizona 36-24.

The game got physical at times with the teams combining for 11 penalties. Coyotes left winger and offseason addition Andrew Ladd dropped his gloves in a fight with Los Angeles defenseman Cade McNelly during the second period.

Arizona’s next preseason outing is on the road against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. The Coyotes will return to Glendale on Saturday afternoon to take on the Ducks once again.

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