The Phoenix Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings meet for the final time this season in a battle for the Pacific Division. In the four previous meetings between the two teams, the Kings have a 3-1 record. The team wraps up a five-game road trip as they head into Phoenix for Tuesday's game, looking to extend their point streak to five. The Coyotes are on a different path as they have won just one game in the last nine matchups.
Before heading on the road trip, the Kings had dropped two straight games at home, but have found success since hitting the road. Los Angeles is currently sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference and need to finish strong to get a favorable seed in the playoffs. The get forward Brad Richards back into the lineup for the first time since Feb. 10. He has missed 32 out of 35 games this season. Head coach Darryl Sutter believes Richards will provide some much needed energy for the team. Defenseman Jake Muzzin is coming off a March that earned him Rookie of the Month honors after racking up 11 points. The Kings hope he can continue that success into April. Goalie Jonathan Bernier is 8-0-0 as a starter, but Jonathan Quick is likely to be back in the net after getting a short break.
The Coyotes are coming off a stretch they prefer to forget. They have a 10-7 record at home this year and have two-game losing streak going that they are hoping to break. Currently sitting in 13th place in the Western Conference, they are barely within reach of the final playoff spot. If they cannot lock down a few wins, they will miss the postseason for the first time in four seasons. Goalie Mike smith is still out after suffering a head injury in mid-February. Backup Jason Labarbera will have to improve after giving up 13 goals in the last four games. He has a .347 goals-against average when playing the Kings which does not mean good things for Phoenix.
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