Kings 3, Coyotes 2
LOS ANGELES -- Drew Doughty finally scored a goal for the Los Angeles Kings, the Phoenix Coyotes set a franchise scoreless-streak record before mercifully ending their futility, and for the second night in a row the Kings beat the Coyotes.
Just another wild night in the lockout-shortened NHL season in which the craziness just keeps on coming.
And with the games coming in bunches the quirkiness continues; this week's oddity was the Kings hosting the Coyotes on consecutive nights at Staples Center.
After shutting Phoenix out Monday, the Kings nearly turned in a repeat performance Tuesday before surrendering two third-period goals in a 3-2 victory.
Phoenix went a franchise-record 245 minutes and 33 seconds without scoring a goal before Shane Doan finally beat Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier midway through the third period to make it 2-1.
Doan added another goal with 40 seconds left in the game, but it was too little too late.
Monday night it was Jonathan Quick keeping the Coyotes out of the net. Tuesday it was Bernier.
Different goalie, nearly the same results. The hits just keep coming for Phoenix.
Meanwhile, the Kings weren't as sharp offensively as they were the night before, but with the Coyotes struggling to score goals they didn't need to be.
And with Drew Doughty finally scoring his first goal of the season -- which followed Dustin Penner's goal in the first period -- the Kings had more than enough to hold off the Coyotes again.
Jarret Stoll's goal with 6:04 remaining was the game-winner.
"It feels great," Doughty said of his first goal. "I don't usually go that long without getting in the scorebook, so that felt great."
Doughty went so long without a goal he wasn't quite sure whether to celebrate or not after launching a 39-foot slap shot past Coyotes goalie Mike Smith, unsure whether the puck bounced off a teammate first.
"I didn't even celebrate like it was my goal," Doughty said. "It was great to see it go in whether it was mine or (someone else's)."
It was his, much to the relief of Doughty and the Kings, who have been waiting for their talented defenseman to get going offensively.
Meanwhile, the Coyotes just want to get going, period. The loss Tuesday was their fourth straight.
NOTES: The Kings have been dominant at home of late, winning 11 of their last 12 at Staples. ... Despite getting pulled the night before, Mike Smith was back in goal for the Coyotes. ... Antoine Vermette and Keith Yandle extended their consecutive-games played streak to 293 and 285, respectfully. Yandle, an All-Star defenseman, is currently second overall among NHL defensemen in consecutive games played, although it might take him awhile to catch up with Calgary's Jay Bouwmeester, who played in 615 straight coming into Tuesday.
