Scouting the Coyotes

This is the sixth and final meeting of the season between the Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes. The Kings, so far, have two regulation wins, one overtime win, one regulation loss and one overtime loss. One near-constant has been close games between the two teams. Seven of the last eight games between the Kings and the Coyotes have been decided by one goal, and it would also be folly to expect a wide-open game tonight. The Kings’ offensive struggles have been well-chronicled, and even though the Coyotes are 6-0-1 in February, they have scored two or fewer goals in four of their last five games. Mike Smith has been a difference-maker in goal, as Smith has won seven consecutive starts and has allowed a total of four goals in his last six games. The Coyotes’ forward lineup is in a bit of flux. Martin Hanzal (lower-body injury) is expected to play tonight, but the Coyotes are liklely to be without Taylor Pyatt and Kyle Chipchura, along with defensemen Rostislav Klesla and Derek Morris. The Coyotes today called up forward Alex Bolduc and defenseman David Rundblad, and Bolduc is expected to play tonight. For the latest on the Coyotes, check out the coverage from The Arizona Republic, followed by the possible lineups for the Kings and the Coyotes…

The Arizona Republic’s Coyotes coverage

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KINGS LINEUP
Jordan Nolan-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams
Dwight King-Mike Richards-Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford-Andrei Loktionov-Trevor Lewis
Dustin Penner-Jarret Stoll-Brad Richardson/Colin Fraser

Rob Scuderi-Drew Doughty
Willie Mitchell-Jack Johnson
Alec Martinez-Matt Greene

Jonathan Quick
Jonathan Bernier

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COYOTES LINEUP
Ray Whitney-Martin Hanzal-Radim Vrbata
Lauri Korpikoski-Boyd Gordon-Shane Doan
Raffi Torres-Daymond Langkow-Mikkel Boedker
Paul Bissonnette-Alex Bolduc-Gilbert Brule

Keith Yandle-Adrian Aucoin
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Michal Rozsival
Chris Summers-Michael Stone

Mike Smith
Jason LaBarbera