Arizona Coyotes vs Minnesota Wild Recap
The Minnesota Wild defeated the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night 2- 0. Thursday’s game marked the end of a brief first road trip for the Coyotes. Despite Devan Dubnyk’s good start to the year, Mike Smith got the start in net.
In what’s been a recurring theme of bad 1st periods, Thursday was different. The Coyotes had a very solid 1st period against the Wild. They were able to sustain offensive zone pressure, they played good defense and Mike Smith came up big making saves on quality scoring chances. Smith looked very comfortable in net during the 1st period. When the defense would break down, Smith was there to clean up the mess. They ended the period tied 0-0.
The 2nd period was a little bit of a different story though. The Wild came out with some energy and really out played Arizona. The Wild picked up the game’s first goal off of a deflected shot by Charlie Coyle. Shortly after the first goal, the Wild picked up another goal from Jason Pominville off of a David Schlemko turnover. The Coyotes couldn’t sustain any pressure in the offensive zone at even strength. Arizona was getting beat to lose pucks and playing in the defensive zone almost the entire 2nd period. The Coyotes had a power play and they had a few good looks, but were unable to be Wild goaltender Darcy Kuemper. The Coyotes took three penalties in the period including a too many men penalty, making that two games in a row with a bench minor. The Coyotes killed off all of the penalties and despite the two goals, Smith was still making great saves keeping his team in the game.
The Coyotes came out playing a little better in the 3rd period. They started by killing off a penalty that spilled over from the 2nd. It seemed the Coyotes had cut the Wild’s lead by one, but the Kyle Chipchura goal was waived off due to goaltender interference by BJ Crombeen. The rest of the period was a little more back and forth and it appeared that Arizona was carrying the momentum. Mike Smith again looked like his old self as he made a few hard saves that kept his team in the game. The Coyotes picked up a power play late in the 3rd, but were unable to convert. With 1:48 left in the period, a blatant delay of game penalty was not called against the Wild forcing Dave Tippett to pull Mike Smith for the extra attacker. Arizona was unable to score and was shut out.
Just like in Nashville, the Coyotes played a good game but unfortunately lost again. The relapse in the 2nd period was all Minnesota needed. On a positive note, Mike Smith appears to be back to his old self as he had a very solid game.
Game Notes:
- Mike Smith looked good in net.
- Martin Hanzal remained out with a lower body injury.
- Coyotes killed off all penalties for the second straight game.
- Coyotes streak of scoring a power play goal in four straight games came to end.
- Darcy Kuemper picked up his third shutout in four games this year.
Goals:
Wild:
- Coyle (2)
- Pominville (2)
Three Stars:
- Jared Spurgeon
- Darcy Kuemper
- Jonas Brodin