Kings rally with 4 straight goals, defeat Coyotes

Matias Maccelli quickly put the Coyotes in the lead, scoring just 37 seconds into the game.

However, Anderson managed to tie the game 1-1 at 5:56.

Moser then gave his team a 2-1 advantage at 7:46, with Jack McBain extending it to 3-1 at 8:21 with a tip-in.

Copley was replaced in goal, but that didn’t stop Durzi from scoring at 8:55 to further solidify the Coyotes’ lead. Durzi showcased impressive skills, maneuvering around Doughty in the left face-off circle and diving towards the net, deftly lifting the puck under Talbot’s blocker.

Kings coach Todd McLellan expressed his disappointment, stating, “They managed to slip past our defenseman and score on Talbot with the very first shot. It’s tough to recover from that, especially when the momentum is against you. Thankfully, we didn’t concede any more goals before the break, but unfortunately, the Coyotes later seized control of the game.”

According to Coyotes coach Andre Tourigny, his team became too focused on defending, neglecting their offensive opportunities. “We were too passive, not exerting enough pressure, and neglecting to maintain possession. When you don’t assert yourself with the puck, your opponents will take advantage and exploit your weaknesses,” Tourigny explained.

During the intermission, McLellan revealed that it was the players who took responsibility for their lackluster performance in the first period. “Tonight, it was the players who took charge, not me. They came together for a discussion and motivated themselves to improve. However, we can’t continue with this pattern. We must start games more successfully. Something needs to change,” McLellan acknowledged.