Coyotes’ 4-1 loss to the Wild: By the numbers

Jan 10, 2014, 6:37 AM | Updated: 6:38 am

Arizona Sports

In a battle between two teams vying for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference, the Phoenix Coyotes fell to the Minnesota Wild 4-1 at Jobing.com Arena. For Phoenix, it marked a third home loss in its last four games.

Here’s a look back at the three-goal loss by the numbers:

1:

The Wild received the bulk of their scoring from 26-year-old right winger Justin Fontaine, who recorded his first career hat trick — which included two third period goals.

2:

Goaltender Mike Smith has given up at least two goals at home in 12 straight games dating back to a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 29.

4:

Smith has also allowed four combined goals in each of the last two third periods he’s played. Heading into both frames, the Coyotes either were tied or held a lead.

5-2:

Jobing.com Arena has served as a home away from home for Minnesota of late. Thursday’s win moved the Wild’s record to 5-2 in games played in the Valley since 2011.

10:

Thursday marked the 10-year anniversary of former Coyotes netminder Brian Boucher’s modern-day NHL record fifth consecutive shutout — which coincidentally came against the Wild.

17.6

While their might not be a goalie controversy yet for Phoenix, Smith’s play of late has been concerning to say the least. The 31-year-old has three victories in his last 17 starts good for a winning percentage of .176.

26:22:

After missing the last two games due to an upper-body injury, Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson returned to the lineup against Minnesota, recording a team-high four shots and 26:22 of ice time.

30:

Mikkel Boedker reached the 30-point mark for the first time in his career Thursday thanks to a second period tally. Boedker now has six points in his last five games.

39:

Niklas Backstrom came into the contest averaging 28.4 saves per contest in 23 career appearances against Phoenix. In the 4-1 win Thursday, he had 39 saves.

300:

Even in a losing effort, Thursday was a bit of a milestone for two members of the Coyotes. Both Mike Smith and Mikkel Boedker were playing in their 300th career NHL game.

Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith, left, makes a save on a shot by Minnesota Wild's Dany Heatley, of Germany, as Coyotes' David Moss (18) defends during the first period in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Wild's Justin Fontaine (14) scores against Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith, left, as Wild's Matt Cooke (24) looks on during the first period in an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Wild's Justin Fontaine, middle, celebrates his goal against the Phoenix Coyotes with teammates Matt Cooke (24) and Jonas Brodin, of Sweden, during the first period in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Coyotes' Jeff Halpern (14) falls over goalie Mike Smith during the second period in an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Wild's Niklas Backstrom, left, of Finland, makes a save on a shot as Phoenix Coyotes' Martin Hanzal (11), of the Czech Republic, waits for a possible rebound during the second period in an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Wild's Justin Fontaine (14) smiles as the gets a hug from teammate Nino Niederreiter (22), of Switzerland, after Fontaine notched his third score of the night for a hat trick against the Phoenix Coyotes, scoring the final time during the third period in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Wild defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Wild's Justin Fontaine celebrates his third goal of the night against the Phoenix Coyotes, for a hat trick, during the third period in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Wild defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Wild's Kyle Brodziak (21) sends Phoenix Coyotes' Antoine Vermette (50) to the ice during the third period in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Wild defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Coyotes' Radim Vrbata, left, of the Czech Republic, battles Minnesota Wild's Torrey Mitchell for the puck during the third period in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Wild defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Coyotes' Lauri Korpikoski (28), of Finland, goes after the puck as Minnesota Wild's Clayton Stoner (4) falls down during the third period in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Wild defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Wild's Niklas Backstrom (32), of Finland, gets some help blocking the net from teammate Nate Prosser (39) as Phoenix Coyotes' Keith Yandle (3) gets a shot off during the third period in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Wild defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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