Vejmelka sharp in Coyotes' 2-1 shootout win over Kings

Updated Dec. 24, 2022 12:23 a.m. ET

Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Karel Vejmelka had 26 saves and stopped all three shots in a shootout in the Arizona Coyotes' 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night.

Arizona’s Nick Schmaltz scored on a power play in the first period. Alex Iafallo evened it on the man advantage in the second, leaving the Coyotes tied heading into the third period for the fifth straight game.

Nick Bjugstad scored on Arizona's second shot in the shootout after Vejmelk stopped Gabriel Vilardi. Arizona's Clayton Keller had a chance to win it, but sent his shot over the goal.

Vejmelka, who allowed five goals in a loss to Vegas on Wednesday night, finished it off by stopping Adrian Kempe to end the Kings’ four-game winning streak.

The Kings were sharp after beating Calgary in overtime the night before and so was Jonathan Quick, who had 23 saves after allowing at least four goals in four of his previous five starts.

The Coyotes had trouble on special teams in their 5-2 loss to the Golden Knights, giving up two power-play goals and another shorthanded.

Arizona had the early special-teams advantage against the Kings, scoring on a 5-on-3 midway through the first period. Schmaltz got it, one-timing a nifty cross-ice pass from Clayton Keller past Quick.

The Kings then tied it up on a power play in the second period when Iafalo hit a one-timer past Arizona defenseman Patrik Nemeth and beat Vejmelka to the glove side.

The Coyotes failed to get a shot on goal in a disjointed power play early in the third period and couldn't beat Quick on a 4-on-3 in overtime.

NOTES: Kyle Rehman was the lone referee for the game after Tom Chmielewski encountered travel issues. ... Kings F Brendan Lemieux played for the first time since Nov. 12 after being out with a lower-body injury. He wasted no time agitating the Coyotes, mixing it up with Lawson Crouse to take a four-minute roughing penalty in the first period. ... Coyotes rookie F Matias Maccelli went to the locker room in the first period and did not return with a lower-body injury. ... Los Angeles F Arthur Kaliyev missed his second straight game after being injured blocking a shot against Anaheim on Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Kings: Host Vegas on Tuesday night.

Coyotes: Host Colorado on Tuesday night.

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