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Kings blank Coyotes 4-0 in 2nd straight shoutout

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Watch out, NHL. The Los Angeles Kings are showcasing their suffocating defense again.

It doesn't even matter who is in goal.

Dustin Brown had two goals and an assist, Martin Jones stopped 26 shots, and the defending Stanley Cup champions beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-0 on Thursday night for their second straight shutout and third in four games.

Two nights after Jonathan Quick stopped 31 shots against Boston, Jones extended the Kings' defensive mastery in his first start since blanking Minnesota on Nov. 26.

''That was a really complete road game for us,'' said Jones, who secured his sixth career shutout in his 24th start. ''We did a really good job eliminating the Grade A scoring chances, and the chances that we did give up, those are pucks that I'm expected to stop.

''It was a really solid game for everybody.''

Alec Martinez had a goal and an assist a day after agreeing to a contract extension, and Jared Stoll added a power-play goal late in the second period as the Kings snapped a five-game losing streak in Arizona.

''When we're on our game - forechecking, getting the puck back and then not letting go of it - when we do that we kind of control the game,'' Brown said.

Arizona goalie Mike Smith was yanked in another lackluster performance that led to a 20-minute, players-only meeting after the game.

The Coyotes gave up 42 shots and were shut out at home for the second straight game. They have lost six straight home games for the first time since early 2009.

''I think everyone had the opportunity to express themselves and what they think,'' Coyotes captain Shane Doan said. ''It's important to understand that no one will feel sorry for you. There will be a lot of people pointing fingers from the outside, and we've got to make sure we're good from the inside.''

The Kings entered the night just 2-4-4 on the road, but had more energy in their third win in four games. And Jones is proving to be one of the top backup goalies in the league.

The undrafted 24-year-old's best stop might have come on Tobias Rieder's point-blank, short-handed attempt midway through the final period.

''He's a pretty good goalie,'' Brown said. ''He's really good at smothering the pucks. He doesn't give up a bunch of rebounds, and as a result there's not a lot of second opportunities on him.''

After Joe Vitale failed to get a shot off for Arizona in front midway through the second period, the Kings rushed the other way with precision. Brown's shot through a screen beat Smith on the glove side at 9:57 to make it 2-0.

Brown, who has nine points in eight games, got the Kings on the board when he intercepted Kyle Chipchura's poor pass in the neutral zone, then skated in alone and beat Smith stick-side at 8:59 of the first period for his fifth goal.

The Kings put it out of reach late in the second with Chipchura serving a high-sticking penalty.

Martinez, who got a six-year, $24 million extension, took a shot from the point, and Stoll slightly redirected the puck, which slowly squirted through Smith at 15:41.

Coyotes coach Dave Tippett then pulled Smith, who stopped 17 shots, and replaced him with David Dubnyk.

Smith entered with more wins (11-4-1) against Los Angeles than any other opponent. But Smith and the Coyotes have looked nothing like the team that lost to the Kings in the 2012 Western Conference finals as they lost for the seventh time in nine games.

''You're paid to be a top player on your team, you've got to perform like one,'' Smith said. ''It hasn't happened. It's got to be better.''

NOTES: The Coyotes have gone eight periods at home without scoring. ... The Kings improved to 11-0-3 when they score first. ... Kings RW Marian Gaborik (upper body) sat out a third straight game. ... Coyotes D Connor Murphy (upper body) missed his second straight game.