National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Phoenix 4, Los Angeles 3
When: 10:30 PM ET, Monday, March 17, 2014
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Referees: Kelly Sutherland, Brad Watson
Linesmen: Kiel Murchison, Pierre Racicot
Attendance: 18118

Coyotes 4, Kings 3:
Jeff Halpern scored the game-winning goal - confirmed by video review after an initial delay - with 3:05 to play as Phoenix rallied to hand host Los Angeles its third straight defeat.

Keith Yandle scoring the tying goal midway through the third period and Rob Klinkhammer and Mikkel Boedker netted goals 63 seconds apart in the first period to help the Coyotes move two points ahead of Dallas for the second wild card - although the Stars have two games in hand. Mike Smith turned aside 36 shots as Phoenix won for the sixth time in eight games.

Tanner Pearson, Alex Martinez and Marian Gaborik scored for the Kings, who lost in regulation when leading after two periods for only the second time in in 139 games (126-2-11) dating to April 2009. Jonathan Quick made 23 saves but allowed the tying and go-ahead goals in the final 10:16.

Play continued for 25 seconds after Halpern's blast from the left faceoff dot but a video review following a stoppage in play showed the puck crossed the line and hit Quick's stick before bouncing out. Yandle tied it 6 1/2 minutes earlier with a straight-on slap shot from the point.

Pearson cut an early 2-0 deficit in half by scoring with 2:58 left in the first period and the Kings surged ahead in the middle session. Martinez whistled a wrister from the left circle into the top right corner past a surprised Smith before Gaborik put Los Angeles ahead with a power-play tally when his wrist shot from the slot deflected off the stick of Derek Morris at 18:19.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Gaborik's goal was his second in six games since joining the Kings and his 21st in 30 career games versus Phoenix. ... F Martin Hanzal returned to the lineup after missing seven games for the Coyotes, who have allowed 10 power-play goals in 36 chances over the past 12 games after Los Angeles converted 1-of-4. ... Martinez has four goals and three assists in the past eight games, matching his totals from the first 40 games of the season.
Top Game Performances
 
Phoenix   Los Angeles
Keith Yandle 2 Points Marian Gaborik 1
Keith Yandle 1 Goals Marian Gaborik 1
Keith Yandle 1 Assists Jeff Carter 1
Mikkel Boedker 1 Power Play Goals Marian Gaborik 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Mike Smith .923 Save Percentage Jonathan Quick .852
Mike Smith 36 Saves Jonathan Quick 23
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Phoenix 27 4 1-4 3-4 8 32
Los Angeles 39 3 1-4 3-4 8 37
Upcoming Games
  • Los Angeles will play their next game at home against Washington. The Kings have a W/L % of .605 after a win and .484 after a loss.
  • Phoenix will play their next game at home against Florida. The Coyotes have a W/L % of .424 after a win and .528 after a loss.