Schmaltz scores first goal for Coyotes in win over Predators

Nov 29, 2018, 9:05 PM | Updated: 9:06 pm

Arizona Coyotes center Nick Schmaltz (8) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nick Schmaltz had a goal and an assist, Adin Hill made 29 saves for his first NHL shutout and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Nashville Predators 3-0 on Thursday night.

Clayton Keller and Brad Richardson scored the other goals in Arizona’s second straight victory. Schmaltz’s two points were his first since being acquired Sunday in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nashville has lost three of four.

Keller scored first at 1:40 of the second period. Schmaltz carried the puck into the Nashville zone and skated around the left faceoff circle. Near the boards, he found Keller in the slot, where he beat Predators goalie Pekka Rinne with a wrist shot low to the stick side.

Schmaltz made it 2-0 with 20.9 seconds remaining in the second.

With the Coyotes on a power play, he beat Rinne with a wrist shot from just above the right faceoff dot off an assist from captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Ekman-Larsson’s six power-play points lead the Coyotes.

Richardson made it 3-0 at 11:23 of the third on a one-timer from the high slot.

Rinne finished with 22 saves.

NOTES: Ekman-Larsson played his 600th career game. … Arizona is 6-3-1 in its last 10 against Nashville. … The Predators are 11-4-1 when outshooting their opponent. … Nashville was shut out for the second time this season.

UP NEXT

Coyotes: Host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

Predators: Host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.

Arizona Coyotes center Derek Stepan (21) and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59), of Switzerland, chase down the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) shoots against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4), of Sweden, chases after the puck with Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (22), of Switzerland, and center Ryan Johansen (92) in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4), of Sweden, loses his stick as Nashville Predators center Calle Jarnkrok (19), also of Sweden, takes the puck away in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes center Nick Schmaltz (8) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk (17) is checked by Nashville Predators center Nick Bonino (13) as goaltender Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, guards the net in the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) celebrates with Vinnie Hinostroza (13), Niklas Hjalmarsson (4), of Sweden, and Jakob Chychrun (6) after scoring against the Nashville Predators in the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill (31) is congratulated after he shut out the Nashville Predators 3-0 in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill (31) is congratulated by Josh Archibald (45) and Hunter Miska (1) after Hill shut out the Nashville Predators 3-0 in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.