Kings get shootout win over Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Patrick O’Sullivan scored in a shootout Thursday night to give the Kings a 6-5 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

Erik Ersberg stopped Keith Ballard, Peter Mueller, Radim Vrbata and Shane Doan in the tiebreaker to secure the victory.

The Coyotes forced overtime with their fourth power-play goal. Defenseman Ballard fired in a wrist shot with 24 seconds left in regulation after Mikael Tellqvist was pulled for an extra skater. Phoenix, which had won six in a row over the Kings, is six points out of a playoff spot with seven games left.

It was the Coyotes’ 19th loss at home. Only the Kings have a worse home mark.

The Kings scored two goals 1:17 apart in the second period. Dustin Brown had a short-handed goal, followed by Raitis Ivanans’ goal that made it 4-2.

The Kings, who never trailed, got the scoring going midway through the first period. Tom Preissing made it 1-0 at 8:24, but the Coyotes tied it just over three minutes later.

On the power play, Enver Lisin converted Peter Mueller’s centering pass at 11:30.

Preissing scored his second with 42 seconds left in the period during a power play.

Phoenix tied it again when Keith Yandle drilled a slap shot through traffic for a power-play goal at 6:05 of the second.

Phoenix drew to within 4-3 when Steven Reinprecht tipped in Ballard’s shot from the blue line at 11:25.

The Kings quickly responded and rebuilt a two-goal lead. Defenseman Peter Harrold, crashing in from the left circle, beat Tellqvist at 12:04 of the second period.

The Coyotes again closed within one when Doan scored, during a two-man advantage at 17:26 of the second period.