Coyotes ride strong power-play performance to preseason win over Los Angeles Kings
In their first home preseason game, the Coyotes knocked off the Kings 4-2 behind three goals on the power play and several effective penalty kills.
Coyotes ride strong power-play performance to preseason win over Los Angeles Kings In their first home preseason game, the Coyotes knocked off the Kings 4-2 behind three goals on the power play and several effective penalty kills. Check out this story on azcentral.com: https://azc.cc/2NpctPi
Anaheim Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) passes the puck under the stick of Arizona Coyotes center Nick Cousins (25) during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 6-1. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Arizona Coyotes 2018 preseason
Anaheim Ducks right wing Ondrej Kase (25) waits for the puck in front of Arizona Coyotes goalie Adin Hill (31) during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 6-1. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Anaheim Ducks center Isac Lundestrom (48) tries to get off a pass as Arizona Coyotes left wing Adam Helewka (47) arrives to poke the puck away during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 6-1. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton (44) skates past Anaheim Ducks center Sam Steel (34) and right wing Troy Terry (61) during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 6-1. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Anaheim Ducks center Joseph Blandisi (39) gets tripped up by Arizona Coyotes left wing Brayden Burke (80) during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 6-1. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Arizona Coyotes' Conor Garland (83) scores a goal against Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller during the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell, left, battles with Arizona Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse, right, for the puck during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique (14) beats Arizona Coyotes center Lane Pederson (93) to the puck during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jordan Oesterle (82) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks with Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23), Clayton Keller, second from left, Nick Cousins (25) and Derek Stepan (21) during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) makes a save on a shot by Anaheim Ducks center Isac Lundestrom (48) as Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers, right, watches during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Ross D. Franklin, AP
Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk (17) and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrate a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period during preseason NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
\c56\ takes a shot against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period during preseason NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) takes a shot against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period during preseason NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) watches the play against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period during preseason NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) takes a shot against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period during preseason NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) skates to the bench during a break in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings during preseason NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes right wing Richard Panik (14) waits for a face-off against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period during preseason NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk (17) waits for a face-off against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period during preseason NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) skates against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period during preseason NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) looks for the puck while defended by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kale Clague (34) in the first period during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes right wing Richard Panik (14) takes a swipe at the puck from Los Angeles Kings goalie Jack Campbell in the first period during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes left wing Kevin Klima swipes at the puck Los Angeles Kings right wing Tyler Toffoli (73) in the first period during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Paul LaDue (38) checks Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) into the boards in the first period during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchett talks with his players in the first period against the Los Angeles Kings during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Los Angeles Kings defender Kurtis MacDermid (56) and goalie Jack Campbell look fr the puck with Arizona Coyotes right wing Christian Fischer (36) in the first period during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes right wing Christian Fischer (36) carries the puck while defended by Los Angeles Kings left wing Matt Roy (81) in the first period during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) blocks a shot against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchett directs his players against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
Arizona Coyotes assistant coach Scott Allen , on far right, coaches during practice at Gila River Arena. Nick Oza/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) during the practice at Gila River Arena. Nick Oza/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes player Christian Fischer (36) during the practice at Gila River Arena. Nick Oza/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet during the practice at Gila River Arena. Nick Oza/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes players during the practice at Gila River Arena. Nick Oza/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes assistant coach John MacLean talks to the players during the practice at Gila River Arena. Nick Oza/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes players, Christian Fischer (36) on left, Clayton Keller (9), in center and Alex Galchenyuk (17), during the practice at Gila River Arena. Nick Oza/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes player Clayton Keller (9), at Gila River Arena. Nick Oza/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk during media day on Sep.13, 2018, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes center Derek Stepan during media day activities on Sep.13, 2018, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta during media day activities on Sep.13, 2018, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes Michael Grabner during media day on Sep.13, 2018, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller during media day on Sep.13, 2018, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet (right) introduces Oliver Ekman-Larsson as the new team captain on Sep.13, 2018, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka and head coach Rick Tocchet (right) introduce Oliver Ekman-Larsson as the new team captain on Sep.13, 2018, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Kyle Capobianco skates during Arizona Coyotes rookie camp at Ice Den Scottsdale, Friday, September 7, 2018. Tom Tingle/The Republic
Barrett Hayton, middle, skates in front of the goal during Arizona Coyotes rookie camp at Ice Den Scottsdale, Friday, September 7, 2018. Tom Tingle/The Republic
Kelly Klima gets ready for action during Arizona Coyotes rookie camp at Ice Den Scottsdale, Friday, September 7, 2018. Tom Tingle/The Republic
Kevin Klima, left, skates hard during Arizona Coyotes rookie camp at Ice Den Scottsdale, Friday, September 7, 2018. Tom Tingle/The Republic
Pierre-Olivier Joseph, left, and Albert Michnac collide during Arizona Coyotes rookie camp at Ice Den Scottsdale, Friday, September 7, 2018. Tom Tingle/The Republic
Pierre-Olivier Joseph, #37, takes a shot on goal during Arizona Coyotes rookie camp at Ice Den Scottsdale, Friday, September 7, 2018. Tom Tingle/The Republic
Liam Kirk takes the puck as Kevin Bahl pursues during Arizona Coyotes rookie camp at Ice Den Scottsdale, Friday, September 7, 2018. Tom Tingle/The Republic
Anaheim Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) passes the puck under the stick of Arizona Coyotes center Nick Cousins (25) during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 6-1.
Richard Morin, Arizona Republic Published 12:04 p.m. MT Sept. 18, 2018 | Updated 10:25 p.m. MT Sept. 18, 2018
Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) looks for the puck while defended by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kale Clague (34) in the first period during pre-season NHL action at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. September 18, 2018.(Photo: Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
Everything in the preseason has to be taken with a grain of salt. But the Coyotes can at least be pleased with what they got out of their special teams units on Tuesday.
In their first home preseason game, the Coyotes knocked off the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 at Gila River Arena behind three goals on the power play and several effective penalty kills.
For a team that finished 25th out of 31 teams on the power play last season, the ease at which the Coyotes created opportunities during the man-advantage was especially refreshing for a team that struggled in that area throughout much of 2018-19.
The Coyotes' first power-play unit on Tuesday could very well be the one the club goes with for Opening Night on Oct. 4 in Dallas. The group of Clayton Keller, Derek Stepan, Richard Panik, Alex Galchenyuk and Oliver Ekman-Larsson put on a clinic during the first and second periods.
Just nine seconds after the Coyotes were staked to their first power play of the game, Panik collected a no-look pass by Keller and beat Kings goaltender Jack Campbell at 4:49 of the first period. Ekman-Larsson, wearing the "C" for the first time on Tuesday, registered the secondary assist.
The Coyotes got their second power play with 8:25 left in the opening frame and the first unit again did an effective job cycling the puck and passing around the perimeter to create chances.
But it wasn't until the arrival of the second unit — Keller, Christian Fischer, Barrett Hayton, Vinnie Hinostroza and Jason Demers — when the Coyotes capitalized on a scoring chance. This time it was Hinostroza, who skated around the net and rifled one inside the post to give Arizona a 2-0 lead.
The Coyotes found themselves having to kill off back-to-back minor penalties by defenseman Kyle Capobianco and did so with relative ease. Galchenyuk almost beat the horn that signaled the end of the second penalty with the team's third goal of the night.
Keller and Ekman-Larsson were both given assists on Galchenyuk's goal as the Coyotes held 3-0 edge after the first.
The Coyotes were actually an average team on the penalty last season with a 79.5 percentage that ranked 19th in the NHL. They were 8 for 10 (80 percent) in such situations on Tuesday, including back-to-back kills during a 5-on-3 opportunity for the Kings in the second.
It didn't take long for the Coyotes to find themselves on the power play again after the first intermission, and before they knew it there were two Kings players in the penalty box and Arizona had a 5-on-3 advantage.
Ekman-Larsson found Galchenyuk with a horizontal pass and Galchenyuk ripped it past Campbell for his second goal to give the Coyotes a 4-0 lead early in the second. It was Ekman-Larsson's third and final assist of the night.
Head coach Rick Tocchet highlighted Galchenyuk's play after the game.
"I thought he played a 200-foot game," Tocchet said. "Alex is committed and he wants to play center. He's doing a nice job. ... And obviously he's got that shot. He got two goals tonight, and he needs to keep shooting the puck."
The Coyotes converted on two of their first three power plays in the game, not including Galchenyuk's goal during their lone 5-on-3 attempt. Ekman-Larsson said the group had practiced the power play just once before Tuesday's game.
"It's hard because we hadn't really worked on the power play yet," Ekman-Larsson said. "To me, it looked pretty good. We just kept it simple by moving the puck around. It can only get better from there."
This, of course, does not suggest that the Coyotes are going to score three goals a night on the power play. Odds are that at least half of the Kings' roster on Tuesday won't even make the team, so it's important to consider the level of competition.
It's difficult to truly analyze a team in preseason, but the most tangible things to look at are the mechanics of the game.
There was little doubt that the Coyotes' first power-play unit exhibited crisp passing and effective puck management that could translate well to the regular season. Of course, there's still the possibility that Tocchet will have different special teams units come October.
Yes, the three power-play goals are nice to see from a power-play unit that experienced extended scoring droughts last season. But that doesn't make it less dangerous to read too much into preseason statistics.
Coyotes win in L.A.
On the second end of a split-squad series with the Kings on Tuesday, the Coyotes contingent in Los Angeles also picked up a win, defeating the Kings by a 4-3 score.
Brendan Perlini tallied a goal and an assist while Lawson Crouse, Nate Scnarr and Conor Garland also scored for the Coyotes.
The Coyotes are now 2-1 this preseason. Their next preseason game is against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Gila River Arena. It is the final home game of the preseason.
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Richard Morin covers the Coyotes and Diamondbacks for azcentral sports. He can be reached at richard.morin@arizonarepublic.com and by phone at 480-316-2493. Follow him on Twitter @ramorin_azc.