SoCal NHL Preview

Los Angeles (28-40-6) at Phoenix (36-33-5), 7:00 pm

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - The Phoenix Coyotes aim to snap a three-game skid on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, a team they have dominated recently. A game against Los Angeles is just what the doctor ordered for the Coyotes, who have lost five of seven (2-5-0) and are seven points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Phoenix did not do itself any favors this week as it lost twice to Edmonton and once to Vancouver - two teams it is battling for a postseason berth. Time is running out for Phoenix, which has just eight games left to make gain ground on three teams. But captain Shane Doan is not ready to throw in the towel. "We've got eight games left, it can't be the end," said Doan, who had a goal and two assists in Tuesday's 8-4 loss to the Oilers. "We've got to find a way to win the next one and not get too overly concerned about what everyone else is doing and hope for help." The Coyotes will look to stay in the race by beating up on the league-worst Kings, who they are 6-0-0 against this season. That dominance is even more pronounced here, where Phoenix has won 17 of the last 20 meetings (17-2-1) since the start of the 2000 season.

Los Angeles, which has a league-worst 62 points, has not beaten the Coyotes since a 4-0 win on October 19, 2006. The Kings, who have lost two straight, are just 2-6-3 in their last 11 games. Los Angeles went 0-for-4 with a man advantage in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to San Jose, and has converted just four of its last 42 power-play chances.