Ilya Kovalchuk had an assist in his preseason debut with the Los Angeles Kings, a 4-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Staples Center on Tuesday in one of two split-squad games between the teams.
Lawson Crouse scored the game-winner for the Coyotes with 1:18 remaining. Kovalchuk, who signed with the Kings on July 1 after five seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League, helped set up Dustin Brown's power-play goal to tie it 3-3 at 11:05 of the third period. Brendan Perlini, Conor Garland and Nate Schnarr scored for the Coyotes, and Darcy Kuemper made 38 saves. Defensemen Alec Martinez and Drew Doughty scored for Los Angeles. Jonathan Quick started for the Kings and allowed two goals on nine shots in 30:06 before being relieved by Cal Petersen, who made 12 saves.
