So Cal NHL Preview

Los Angeles (25-32-3) at Phoenix (29-25-4), 6:00 pm

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - If the Phoenix Coyotes wish to make a serious run at the playoffs, they will need to have a successful two-game series against the NHL's worst team. The Coyotes will kick off a home-and-home series when they host the lowly Los Angeles Kings on Saturday in a Pacific Division battle.

Phoenix, which will visit Los Angeles on Monday, ended a four-game winless streak Thursday with a 5-2 victory over the division-leading Dallas Stars. Radim Vrbata and captain Shane Doan each scored a goal and set up two others and Stephen Reinprecht added three assists. Vrbata leads the club with 25 tallies, while Doan has a team-leading 38 assists and 57 points on the campaign.

The Kings are coming off a 6-3 triumph over the Calgary Flames on Friday. Rookie Brian Boyle continued the impressive start to his career in that one, notching his fourth goal in just his seventh career contest. Both rookie Teddy Purcell and defenseman Kevin Dallman scored their first goals of the season in Friday's win. Purcell, who was called up from Manchester of the American Hockey League on Friday, had his first career tally later that same day. Anze Kopitar leads Los Angeles with 25 goals and 55 points this season.