Coyotes’ kids were alright in win over Predators
Dec 10, 2016, 10:05 PM
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski, center, celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with left wing Lawson Crouse (67), left wing Jordan Martinook (48) and defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Too often over the first 25 games of the NHL season, the young players who represent the Coyotes’ future failed to make a noticeable impact on the games. On Saturday before a kid-heavy crowd from local schools, the Coyotes kids reminded their fan base that hope is still alive and well.
Brendan Perlini scored his first NHL goal in his fourth NHL game, Laurent Dauphin scored on the same day he was recalled from the American Hockey League, Lawson Crouse had an assist and a fight and Coyotes’ first- or second-year players accounted for six of the 12 points in Arizona’s 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators at Gila River Arena, despite the absence of Max Domi.
Even defenseman Alex Goligoski got in on the act with his first goal as a Coyote since signing a five-year, $27.375 million deal this summer.
“When you have seven rookies in the lineup and [two] rookies score, that’s a good thing,” Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. “It’s not just that they scored. The way Crouse played tonight, that’s a big man’s game. That was the best game he has played in the NHL so far. He led the charge for us.”
Crouse set the pace for the Coyotes in the first period when had a terrific first shift off the opening faceoff by splitting the defense and getting a shot on goal. Midway through that period, he outraced two Nashville players to wipe out an icing call and then fed Goligoski at the point. Goligoski beat goalie Pekka Rinne inside the near post at 12:50 of the first period for a 1-0 lead.
“No matter whether I’ve got a step on the guy or I’m behind, I’m going to try to do whatever I can to beat it out,” Crouse said. “I was lucky to get there first.”
The Coyotes widened the lead to 2-0 almost two minutes later off a 4-on-3 rush led by defenseman Chychrun. Chychrun fed Ryan White at the right circle, White found Tyler Gaudet streaking up the slot and Gaudet’s shot rang off the post. Dauphin was there to clean up the rebound for his second goal of the season.
After Roman Josi cut the lead to 2-1 after a period, Perlini got in on the action, taking a feed from Shane Doan all alone in the slot and beating Rinne high to the glove side. The goal set off an impromptu celebration on which all of Perlini’s body parts seemed to be moving.
“I don’t usually celebrate too much; usually just hands in the air,” Perlini said. “The emotion kind of took over and you can really tell when you watch the replay.”
Mike Smith made 42 saves for Arizona, which ended a season-high six-game losing streak. It was the fifth time in the last 10 games Smith has made at least 40 saves. The only thing that kept Saturday’s win from becoming a perfect script was when Doan missed a chance to score career goal No. 400 on a penalty shot in the third period.
“I think it was an all-around effort,” Crouse said. “Max brings such a unique style to our game, but it’s an opportunity for others to come up and make an impression and kind of play their game and do what they do.
“Obviously, having him out hurts but I think the guys handled it well.”
