ARIZONA COYOTES

Arizona Coyotes jump out to early lead against Predators

Aug 2, 2020, 12:07 PM

Clayton Keller #9 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates his power-play goal at 15:42 of the first perio...

Clayton Keller #9 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates his power-play goal at 15:42 of the first period against the Nashville Predators in Game One of the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 02, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

A bizarre bounce of the puck may have been a good omen.

A shot from Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson took a bounce off of Nashville forward Kyle Turris and then another big, blooper bounce off of Matt Duchene. The puck floated over the head of goalie Juuse Saros and into the net. 1-0 Arizona.

The Coyotes’ huge first period didn’t stop there in Game 1 of a best-of-five postseason series in the Edmonton bubble.

In Arizona’s return to hockey after a lengthy hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, the team found itself in its first postseason series since 2012. After a period of play, the Coyotes led 3-1.

Goals from Ekman-Larsson, forward Christian Dvorak and Clayton Keller all gave the Coyotes a 3-0 lead before Nashville got a goal back on a 4-on-3 power play. Filip Forsberg’s shot went off the leg of Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and past Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper.

Arizona’s Achilles heel has been scoring goals. The Coyotes have been underwhelming in the offensive side of the game, even despite acquiring stars Taylor Hall and Phil Kessel in the past year, but Arizona’s defensive prowess and goaltending depth have kept it afloat. On Sunday, the offensive spark gave the Coyotes early optimism in a critical Game 1.

Hall, Kessel, Dvorak and Derek Stepan all had assists in the first period.

Comments

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

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

2 days ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

2 days ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

4 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

6 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

8 days ago

Arizona Coyotes jump out to early lead against Predators