Heat Waved
Fansided

Coyotes Return The Favor In Victory Over Sharks

By Guillermo Salcido

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The Coyotes were able to return the favor to the Sharks in a 5-3 victory over San Jose on Saturday night. On the second half of a home-and-home series, Arizona was able to grab the elusive regulation victory in a game that was heavily influenced by special teams play.

The beginning of the game saw San Jose pick up where they left off in the Bay Area last night, at least in pressure. The Sharks put shots on net but were unable score early and were unsuccessful on a power play opportunity. This penalty kill was enough for the momentum to shift to Arizona.

An increased amount of pressure from the Coyotes forced the Sharks to commit a penalty and soon thereafter Arizona was able to cash in. While in the offensive zone, Mark Arcobello was able to find Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who fired a shot past a screened Antti Niemi for a 1-0 lead. Ekman-Larsson’s 22nd goal extends his lead among all Coyotes as well as NHL D-men.

Apr 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing David Moss (18) screens San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The lead wouldn’t last too long, however.

After another undisciplined penalty to the Coyotes, the Sharks were able to convert on their second power play opportunity. After Mike Smith had saved an initial shot, Tomas Hertl was left uncovered and found the rebound, which he promptly placed to the back of the net for a 1-1 tie.

The special teams scoring in the first period would not cease. Arizona was able to regain the lead after they went on their second power play opportunity of the evening. Michael Stone fired a rocket from the point which was deflected by Shane Doan and then hit the post. Niemi’s skate knocked the puck to the back of the net, giving Doan credit for the goal.

If the special teams was a theme of the first period, then special goal-tending would have to be the theme of the second period. Mike Smith absolutely stoned many great opportunities from San Jose. It wasn’t until the last couple of minutes in left in the second period that the scoring started to pick up again.

After the Coyotes pressured the net and fired multiple shots at Niemi, a rebound was picked up by Ekman-Larsson, whose wrist shot gave him his 23rd goal of the season and a brief 3-1 advantage. Less than 20 seconds later, Joe Thornton‘s sharp angle shot sneaked past an otherwise outstanding Smith to cut the Coyotes lead back to 1.

The third period started with San Jose feverishly to tie up the game but an unsuccessful power play allowed the Coyotes to gain some momentum. Arizona soon found the back of the net again to extend their lead back to two.

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Shane Doan sent over a pass to a wide open Mark Arcobello, who beat Niemi cleanly for his 17th goal of the season. Arcobello also scored last night in San Jose. The assist gave Doan his second assist and third point of the game. The two-goal lead was again short lived, however.

San Jose was able to convert on (another) power play opportunity to make the game 4-3. Matt Irwin took a shot from the point, which was redirected by Chris Tierney for his sixth goal of the season. It was the Sharks 5th power play opportunity of the night and second conversion.

The Coyotes then went on two consecutive power plays themselves, with both being unsuccessful. It was desperation time for San Jose and with less than three minutes remaining in the game the Sharks went on their sixth power play. Shortly after the Coyotes killed the penalty, Sam Gagner was able to score an empty netter to seal the 5-3 victory for Arizona.

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The win for Arizona marks their first regulation victory since Feb. 3, a two month span. Arizona now sits four points head of Buffalo with both teams having three remaining games on their schedule. The loss for San Jose most likely will end their playoff aspirations.

The Arizona Coyotes (24-47-8) will head to Calgary to take on the Flames on Tuesday night while the San Jose Sharks (39-31-9) will return home to host the Dallas Stars on Monday night.

Goals:

Arizona Coyotes:

  • Oliver Ekman-Larsson (22nd)
  • Shane Doan (14th)
  • Oliver Ekman_Larsson (23rd)
  • Mark Arcobello (17th)
  • Sam Gagner (14th)

San Jose Sharks:

  • Tomas Hertl (13th)
  • Joe Thornton (15th)
  • Chris Tierney (6th)

Three Stars:

  1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson
  2. Shane Doan
  3. Mike Smith

Next: Bold Predictions For 2015 D'Backs

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