‘Yotes Notes: Rough 3rd period buries Phoenix Coyotes in Montreal

Dec 18, 2013, 4:04 AM | Updated: 4:05 am

Arizona Sports

The Phoenix Coyotes took the ice in Montreal and jumped to an early lead Tuesday night against the Canadiens. Phoenix even held the lead through the end of the second frame, even though Montreal appeared to be outplaying the visiting team.

The wheels completely fell off for the Coyotes in the final period, and the Canadiens emerged with a 3-1 win in front of a full arena at Bell Centre.

A power play goal by Max Pacioretty put Montreal ahead with just under six minutes to go, and the Coyotes got some good shots on goal near the end, but couldn’t make up the difference.

Pacioretty knocked in another goal with under three seconds left to ice the game for Montreal (21-12-3, second place in the Atlantic Division).

Phoenix fell to 18-10-5 after its second-straight loss.

The Good:

Mikkel Boedker became the second Coyote to reach double-digits in goals this season with his first period make that put the team up 1-0.

Defenseman Connor Murphy recorded his second assist of the season on Boedker’s goal.

Pacioretty’s final goal was an empty netter, so Coyotes goalie Mike Smith still had 25 saves on 27 shot attempts on the night.

The Bad:

Pacioretty ran wild on the Coyotes in the third period, scoring two goals and assisting on the other.

The Coyotes had four power play opportunities, and couldn’t convert once.

Conversely, the Canadiens also had four power play chances, and converted two of them.

The Coyotes got 27 shots on goalie Carey Price, but only got one through.

Noted:

– The Coyotes haven’t won in Montreal since 1996.

– Defenseman Zbynek Michalek left the game with a lower body injury and did not return. He missed nine games earlier in the year with a possible related injury.

– Phoenix has lost nine out of its last 13 games.

Up next:

The Coyotes remain in Canada and head to Toronto on Thursday, Dec. 19, to face the Maple Leafs, who are 17-16-3 and fifth in the Atlantic Division. Puck drops at 5:00 p.m. MST. Catch the game on 860 AM or Fox Sports Arizona.

Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith makes the save against Montreal Canadiens' Travis Moen during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher falls after running into Phoenix Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens' David Desharnais falls over Phoenix Coyotes' Keith Yandle during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov stops the puck in front of goalie Carey Price during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens' Lars Eller runs into Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens' Douglas Murray and Phoenix Coyotes' Martin Hanzal crash into the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith makes a glove save against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta sprays ice onto Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Phoenix Coyotes' Tim Kennedy flips next to Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith fends off Montreal Canadiens' David Desharnais during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher celebrates a goal by Andrei Markov against Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. Montreal won 3-1. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith stops a shot by Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. The Canadiens won 3-1. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens' Tomas Plekanec is squeezed against the boards by Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. Montreal won 3-1. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty, right, celebrates his goal against the Phoenix Coyotes with teammate David Desharnais during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Montreal. Montreal won 3-1. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

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