Kings 5, Coyotes 4, OT

By MEL REISNER
AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX (AP) The Los Angeles Kings won for the first time since they were eliminated from the playoffs, though they almost kept their seven-game winless streak alive.

``I was disappointed in the fact that we gave up a two-goal lead late in the third period,'' coach Andy Murray said after Steve Kelly's goal gave the Kings a 5-4 overtime win over the Phoenix Coyotes on Monday night.

``We've been a pretty responsible team, and that's not what you want to see happen.''

The Kings came from a goal down in the first period, and Phoenix rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third. Each got two goals from its top scorer, but only the Kings managed to snap their skid a seven-game winless streak.

Ziggy Palffy scored his 34th and 35th goals and Ian Laperriere and Eric Belanger each had a goal and an assist.

For unsung heroes, the Kings looked to Kelly, who has spent most of his career bouncing between the minors and four NHL teams, and rookie goaltender Cristobal Huet.

Kelly, playing his 13th game with the Kings this season, scored 1:42 into overtime, breaking away from Phoenix defenseman Danny Markov and firing a one-timer past Phoenix goalie Brian Boucher in a 2-on-1 rush with Joe Corvo.

Kelly also had an assist as the Kings ended an 0-4-2-1 stretch since beating Washington on March 14 in Huet's first start.

Huet made 29 saves to remain unbeaten as a starter (2-0-1) and send the Coyotes to their sixth straight loss, the first in overtime.

``When you win you gain confidence,'' Palffy said. ``Every practice, you go in the locker room having fun. Right now, that's what it's all about. Every game right now is go out and play as hard as you can. There's nothing to save it for.''

Phoenix's Mike Johnson had two goals, Paul Mara and Paul Ranheim scored, and Shane Doan and Jan Hrdina had two assists each, Hrdina's coming in his first game for the Coyotes.

``We had some breakdowns, but I thought we played harder than in the other games,'' Johnson said. ``They're in the same boat we are. It's a tough situation when you have a few games left and you're not playing for a playoff spot.''

Johnson tied the score twice in the third period at 2 just 1:04 in and at 4 with 2:23 remaining. In between, Palffy and Laperriere had goals that opened a 4-2 lead with 9:43 to go.

Ranheim scored with 5:19 left, setting the stage for Johnson to tie it again.< ^Notes:@ Palffy has 37 points in 29 games. ... Johnson, who took over the team lead with 23 goals, has 99 in his career. ... Markov had an assist to reach 100 points. ... Coyotes managing partner Wayne Gretzky announced before the game that he and his wife named their fifth child Emma Marie. She was born Friday.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)