---
title: "Dancing in the Reign: Coyotes Bite Late: Kings fall 3-2 in Shootout"
url: https://kingscast.net/dancing-in-the-reign-coyotes-bite-late-kings-fall-3-2-in-shootout/
description: "For those who have said a first round match-up between these two teams would be boring, you’re wrong. Both teams played well on each end of the ice, maintaining a fast."
published: 2026-08-19
updated: 2026-08-19
---

# Dancing in the Reign: Coyotes Bite Late: Kings fall 3-2 in Shootout

Published 2026-08-19

## NEWS

9 April 2010 · by Alex

For those who have said a first round match-up between these two teams would be boring, you’re wrong. Both teams played well on each end of the ice, maintaining a fast pace and playoff-like atmosphere. The **Phoenix Coyotes** have certainly proved their surprising 4th place season with consistently solid play here at the end of the season. With 1 point earned in the shootout loss, the Kings bumped themselves up to 5th place in the **Western Conference** with 98 points. If the regular season were to end today, the **Los Angeles Kings** would face-off against the **Phoenix Coyotes** in the **Western Conference Quarterfinals**. Former Kings goaltender **Jason LaBarbera** had a solid outing with 22 saves, and **Jonathan Quick** looked sharp in net stopping 25 Phoenix shots. Two young defensemen stepped up for the Kings tonight; literally. More on those d-men below along with **my notes on the game:**

**Notes on the game:**
 – Both Kings goals came via aggressive offensive defensemen tonight. First, with **Drew Doughty**’s spectacular split of two Phoenix defensemen who walked in alone on **Jason LaBarbera** and beat him to the far side. Note, Doughty risked the rush knowing **Justin Williams** was back on the play to cover. Williams fed **Anze Kopitar** up the sideboards, who saw the streaking Doughty, and led him perfectly to eventually score the 1st Kings goal.
 – As for **Jack Johnson**’s goal, it was almost impressive. Johnson caused the turnover, and finished the transition of that turnover with a goal. After winning the battle with two Phoenix defensemen, Johnson cleared the puck to an open **Ryan Smyth** in the neutral zone. Johnson caught up to the play, went straight to the net after reading Smyth’s fake shot, and capitalized on Smyth’s pass with a goal.
 – Phoenix’s two regulation goals came off of face-off wins. First with **Wojtek Wolski** winning the puck in the corner, and feeding an open **Matthew Lombardi** who beat Quick from close range. The second goal came off a point-shot off of another face-off. **Zbynek Michalek**’s point shot was deflected by **Taylor Pyatt** and beat **Jonathan Quick** with just under 6 minutes remaining.

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