The Kings have traditionally had difficulties with Arizona, and Thursday they followed script. They found themselves locked into a tie game late with the pesky, last-place Coyotes. Not even two goals by Carter, in his 900th game, were enough, through 55 minutes. It took his ripped shot from the left circle with less than five minutes remaining to complete a natural hat trick for a 4-2 win at Staples Center.
The Kings will ride into a divisional showdown Friday against the Ducks with their first back-to-back wins since March 1, and Carter's heroics. The veteran has 13 goals in 17 games since he returned from a leg injury.