Preview: Coyotes at L.A. Kings, 7 p.m. Sunday, FOX Sports Arizona Plus
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LOS ANGELES -- By the time the Los Angeles Kings hit the ice against the Arizona Coyotes at Staples Center on Sunday night, they could be playing for no more than pride.
By virtue of the Nashville Predators' victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, the Kings (37-33-7) have a microscopic chance of getting to the postseason, trailing the Predators by 10 points with five games remaining. If Nashville earns a point in any of its four remaining games, Los Angeles would miss the playoffs for the second time in three season.
The Predators visit St. Louis on Sunday afternoon, so the Kings' fate may be sealed even before the opening faceoff against Arizona.
Los Angeles won back-to-back road games for the first time since Jan. 31-Feb. 4 with its 2-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday. Jarome Iginla continues to be a surprising bright spot, registering six goals in 13 games since arriving from the Colorado Avalanche by trade on March 1. With three of his six markers being game-winners, there is increasing chatter of a possible return to the Kings despite turning 40 on July 1, the day Iginla is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
"I have a lot of respect for him, and I know how great a player he is," said Los Angeles head coach Darryl Sutter. "He's one of those guys who deserves to win a Stanley Cup."
With the Kings likely to miss the playoffs despite having a core that has won two Stanley Cup championships recently, speculation has been growing about the tenure of Sutter and general manager Dean Lombardi. Lombardi chose to stay the course with a roster that lacked overall speed and skill among its depth players, making only cosmetic changes to a team that was eliminated decisively by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of last season's Stanley Cup playoffs.
Despite both Sutter and Lombardi having one year remaining on their contracts, this season's results have some questioning their return next season.
Even if the game is meaningful for Los Angeles, the Coyotes (28-41-9) have given them trouble all season despite being out of the playoff picture for months. The Kings' two victories in the first four games of the season series were by one-goal margins, and they have dropped both contests at home.
The Coyotes' 6-3 win over the league-leading Washington Capitals on Friday was arguably their finest of the season. Despite being outshot 48-25 by Washington, Alexander Burmistrov scored two goals and Louis Domingue registered 45 saves. The Coyotes took a flier on Burimstrov, the former eighth overall pick by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2010 draft, acquiring him after two unproductive runs with the Jets.
With Arizona lacking the depth of skill players needed to compete in the Western Conference, it is hoping Burmistrov will maximize the second chance it has given him. In 22 games for the Coyotes, Burmistrov has registered three goals and eight assists, but coach Dave Tippett seems optimistic he can be an asset next season.
"We capitalized on some chances and Louis was really strong in net," said Tippett after the win. "There is lots to like about Burmistrov's game. His line is not a big line but they play quick and play with the puck."
Captain Shane Doan had three assists Friday in his return to the lineup after missing six games and could be facing the Kings for the final time in his 21-season career. Like Iginla, Doan is one of the game's senior citizens at 40 years of age, and it is uncertain what his plans are after his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Kings would probably welcome a Doan retirement -- he has been a nemesis for Los Angeles throughout his career, posting 37 goals and 81 points in 111 lifetime games.
