Arizona Coyotes take advantage of Capitals’ PK struggles in win
Nov 11, 2018, 5:56 PM
Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk reacts as Coyotes right wing Richard Panik scores against Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Richard Panik and Alex Galchenyuk each had a goal and an assist, and the Arizona Coyotes became the latest team to take advantage of Washington’s penalty-killing struggles in a 4-1 win over the Capitals on Sunday.
Galchenyuk and Vinnie Hinostroza each scored on the man advantage for Arizona, which snapped a three-game skid in the third game of a four-game trip. Washington has allowed six power-play goals in its last four games.
Darcy Kuemper made 38 saves for the Coyotes, whose top-ranked penalty kill improved to 20 of its last 21 after two kills against a Capitals power play that entered Sunday ranked second in the NHL.
Derek Stepan added an empty-net goal with 1:32 remaining.
Nicklas Backstrom scored an even-strength goal in the second period for Washington, which ended a five-game homestand 2-2-1. Braden Holtby stopped 18 shots for the Capitals.
Hinostroza put Arizona ahead at the tail end of their second man advantage of the game, sending in a one-time wrister of Dylan Strome’s feed. Panik also contributed on the crisp odd-man rush by the Coyotes, created when three Capitals players were caught up ice trying to score short-handed.
Arizona caught Washington in transition again when Panik beat Holtby above his left shoulder to make it 2-0 just beyond the midpoint of the second period.
Backstrom answered less than a minute later with a one-timer off Alex Ovechkin’s feed from the left corner that left Kuemper little chance.
But the Coyotes made it a two-goal lead again with another power-play goal with 5:22 left in the period. This time, Galchenyuk stood strong to poke in a second effort from just in front of the crease after Brendan Perlini sent the puck toward the net.
NOTES: Kuemper started a third game in four nights while starter Antti Raanta recovers from a lower body injury. Raanta last played on Nov. 2. … Capitals D John Carlson returned after missing Friday’s loss against Columbus with a lower-body injury. … Backstrom has a point in five consecutive games. … The Coyotes have yet to preserve a shutout, but have allowed just one goal in seven games this season.
UP NEXT
Coyotes: Conclude their trip on Tuesday night at Detroit.
Capitals: Begin a four-game road trip on Tuesday night at Minnesota
