"Obviously we're trying to stop the puck going into our own net, and when you can chip in offensively, it's a bonus," said Crouse, who has two shorthanded goals. "I think we're just playing to our systems, playing fast and jumping at the right times and getting chances and obviously bearing down at the right times."
Schmaltz put the Coyotes ahead 2-0 at 5:56 of the second period, scoring on a wrist shot from the right circle. Schmaltz, who was acquired in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 25, has five points (two goals, three assists) during a three-game streak.
Clayton Keller had the secondary assist, giving him five points (two goals, three assists) in his past three games.
Tocchet is pleased with how Keller and Schmaltz are playing on the top line. It was Keller's crisp pass to Schmaltz that resulted in Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin committing a slashing penalty, and the Coyotes scored on the ensuing power play.
"They got some chemistry going," Tocchet said. "They are going to only get better, and there's another level between those two guys."
Martinez pulled the Kings within 2-1 at 14:15 of the third period. Los Angeles took 10 of its 26 shots in the third period.
"We've got to play a lot more minutes like we did the last five to seven minutes," Kings forward Anze Kopitar said. "You could tell there was desperation there. You just got to play like that for 60 minutes."
