Despite Raanta’s exit, Coyotes rally in third period to beat Wild

Nov 27, 2018, 8:35 PM | Updated: Nov 28, 2018, 9:04 am

Arizona Coyotes' Lawson Crouse, left, is congratulated by teammates after his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

BY KELLAN OLSON

Suns reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

The Arizona Coyotes have to be worried about the status of starting goaltender Antti Raanta.

Raanta missed eight games in November due to an undisclosed lower-body injury and proceeded to give up 11 total goals in his first two starts back.

On Monday at practice, head coach Rick Tocchet implied that the trainers were looking at something with Raanta and said it would be a day-to-day matter.

That matter appeared to come up for Raanta in Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild, as he exited during the second intermission due to a lower-body injury. It is not known whether or not it is the same injury that caused Raanta to miss eight games.

Adin Hill replaced Raanta, and after the goaltender exited with a 3-1 deficit, the Coyotes got on a roll.

Fourth-liner Josh Archibald got the scoring started with a snipe from the slot off a Wild turnover forced by Lawson Crouse, the lone goal scorer for the Coyotes in the first period.

Back to a 1-goal game. Not even a coach's challenge could take this Archibald goal off the board. pic.twitter.com/H0c0PYoAs8

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) November 28, 2018

Another great forecheck by the Coyotes brought on the next goal. Brad Richardson’s work in the corner got Michael Grabner the puck in front of the net and he slotted it home to tie the game less than five minutes later.

Ask and you shall receive, @TysonNash. Tie game! pic.twitter.com/2wAiCt3RLk

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) November 28, 2018

In 97 seconds, Archibald once again found space in the slot on a semi-breakaway and buried the chance to give the Coyotes a stunning 4-3 lead through three goals in 5:29 of game time.

Have a period, Josh Archibald! #Yotes lead in the third. pic.twitter.com/w5Vnmao4bF

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) November 28, 2018

In nine games, Archibald entered Tuesday night pointless and he left Minnesota with two goals and an assist.

The win for the Coyotes snapped a four-game losing streak.

Follow @KellanOlson

Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk, left, stops a shot by Arizona Coyotes' Nick Schmaltz, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Arizona Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta, left, of Finland, stops a shot by Minnesota Wild's Eric Fehr during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Arizona Coyotes' Lawson Crouse, left, is congratulated by teammates after his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Wild's Mikko Koivu, left, of Finland, congratulates Charlie Coyle following Coyle's goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Wild's Mikael Granlund, right, of Finland, tries to slow Arizona Coyotes' Jordan Oesterle during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Arizona Coyotes' Nick Cousins, right, shoves Minnesota Wild's Charlie Coyle along the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Arizona Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta, right, of Finland, stops a shot by Minnesota Wild's J.T. Brown during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Arizona Coyotes' Jordan Oesterle, center, trips between Minnesota Wild's Mikael Granlund, left, of Finland and Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta, also of Finland, duirng the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Fans celebrate along with Minnesota Wild's Jason Zucker after he scored a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

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