Coyotes eliminated from playoff contention after loss to Predators

Mar 20, 2017, 8:41 PM | Updated: Mar 21, 2017, 2:31 pm

Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) and Nashville Predators center Colton Sissons watch the rebound after Smith blocked a shot during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 3-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ryan Ellis scored twice, Pekka Rinne made 25 saves and the Nashville Predators beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 on Monday night.

Viktor Arvidsson also scored for the Predators, who have won four of five. Craig Smith added two assists.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson had the lone goal and Mike Smith stopped 28 shots for Arizona, which has lost three straight.

Rinne was lightly tested in the first period, making just five saves, but the action picked up after that as the Finn made 11 saves in the second and nine in the third. His best sequence came midway through the second, when he denied two attempts by Josh Jooris and one by Jamie McGinn in an 11-second span.

Arvidsson scored the game’s first goal five minutes into the second period.

Colin Wilson’s shot from the slot was stopped by Mike Smith, but Christian Dvorak’s clearing attempt ricocheted off Arvidsson’s stick and over Mike Smith.

The goal was Arvidsson’s 27th of the season. Arvidsson has goals in three consecutive games and at least one point in his last five.

Ellis doubled the Nashville lead at 16:44 of the second.

From the left point, Smith sent a pass to Ellis above the left faceoff circle where he beat Smith with a one-timer high to the glove side.

Ellis made it 3-0 at 6:35 of the third.

Craig Smith carried the puck into the Arizona zone and from near the right boards found Ellis at the right point, where he fired another one-timer by Mike Smith.

Ellis has 14 goals and 34 points this season, establishing a career best for the defenseman.

Ekman-Larsson’s power-play goal at 16:05 of the third ended Rinne’s shutout bid, but Nashville improved to 24-1-5 when leading after two periods.

NOTES: With the two assists, Smith now has 201 NHL points. … Nashville has defeated the Coyotes six consecutive times at home. … After spending all season to date in the AHL, Arizona D Zbynek Michalek appeared in his first NHL game of the season. … The Coyotes are 5-12-0 against Central Division teams this season.

UP NEXT

Coyotes: At the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

Predators: Host the Calgary Flames on Thursday.

Arizona Coyotes left wing Jamie McGinn (88) and Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher (12) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes left wing Anthony Duclair (10) is checked by Nashville Predators right wing James Neal (18) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) blocks a shot as left wing Jordan Martinook (48) blocks out Nashville Predators left wing Cody McLeod (55) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes left wing Jamie McGinn (88) and Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher (12) chase after a rebound during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators left wing Cody McLeod (55) passes the puck as he falls in front of Arizona Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse (67) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek (4), of the Czech Republic, tries to block a shot by Nashville Predators right wing James Neal (18) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators' Mike Fisher (12) and Colin Wilson (33) celebrate with defenseman Ryan Ellis, second from right, after Ellis scored a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy (5) battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) and Arizona Coyotes left wing Jamie McGinn (88) look for the rebound after Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, of Finland, right, blocked a shot during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23), of Sweden, celebrates with Christian Dvorak (18) after Edman-Larsson scored a goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 3-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, celebrates with defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) after the Predators beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 in an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Ellis scored two goals in the win. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators left wing Cody McLeod (55) and center Colton Sissons (10) celebrate after teammate Ryan Ellis, not shown, scored a goal against Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 3-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) blocks a shot by Arizona Coyotes left wing Brendan Perlini (29), of Great Britain, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Ellis had two goals as the Predators won 3-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy, left, collides with Nashville Predators center Calle Jarnkrok (19), of Sweden, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 3-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) and Nashville Predators center Colton Sissons watch the rebound after Smith blocked a shot during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 3-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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