Arizona Coyotes Bitten By Third Period Monster In 5-1 Loss
Arizona Coyotes fall in a 5-1 beating by the New York Rangers
People have been hunting for Sasquatch for centuries — but they’d probably be better off searching for the third period monster that inhabits Gila River Area. For the second straight night, the Arizona Coyotes lost a game when tied after two periods — this time giving up four third period goals (including an empty netter) in their 5-1 loss to the defending Eastern Conference champions.
The Rangers came in leading the league in wins when scoring first at 26, and they proved why on Saturday.
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Chris Kreider got the scoring started early in the second, showing off his speed and beating Michael Stone — then Mike Smith — for the 1-0 lead.
After the goal, though — which came just 55 seconds into the middle frame — the Coyotes picked up the pace on their way to outshooting New York 14-10 in the second twenty.
One of those shots came off the stick of trade deadline target Antoine Vermette, who tied the score at one. He showed off his ability to effectively crash the net and pick up a loose puck in front of starting goaltender Cam Talbot.
"That was Vermette’s second goal in four games, after going the previous nine without finding the goal sheet."
To get the game tied was all well and good — but as has been their bugaboo all season, the Coyotes couldn’t finish what they started.
“We have lots of try in us right now,” head coach Dave Tippett said. “we just have a hard time capitalizing on anything”
The Coyotes’ opportunities to capitalize included three power play chances — which they went scoreless in — as well as a Tobias Rieder penalty shot that he sent right into the pads of Talbot for an easy save.
Rieder’s chance came with the Coyotes down a goal, thanks to a Rick Nash snipe finished after Nash snuck in behind the Coyotes defense.
“You can’t let the leading goal scorer in the league get behind you on a play like that,” Tippett said.
The one goal deficit didn’t quite detour the desert dogs, though, as Speeder Rieder earned his nickname and broke through to earn his penalty shot.
"“I tried to get him [Talbot] moving and open up his five hole, but I didn’t make enough of a move — and he stopped it,” Rieder said."
If you have a sense of deja vu, you might recall just a week ago the Coyotes had a similar shot to tie the game against the Red Wings on a penalty shot — and weren’t able to convert then, either. The missed Rieder chance might as well have been the game, because the Coyotes failed to finish the final frame and gave up three more goals before the final buzzer.
“I think we played hard for 50 minutes,” Rieder said. “If I score [on the penalty shot] maybe the game goes the other direction.”
Of course, playing for 50 minutes usually doesn’t cut it in the NHL — but Dave Tippett still recognizes the effort his players are putting forth.
“The work is there, the guys are trying hard — but we need some execution,” Tippet said. “We need to finish some plays.”
For every chance the Coyotes didn’t bury, the Rangers did — including a short-handed goal from Kevin Hayes and a “where the heck is the puck” goal from defenseman Marc Staal.
Staal trailed the play late, and was probably the only player on the ice to see the puck — so he buried it for a 4-1 Rangers lead. Former Coyote Lee Stempniak would also add a goal late to close out the 5-1 score at Gila River Arena.
The Coyotes next will hit the road for a game against the Colorado Avalanche, before returning home on Hockey Day in America to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Doggy Biscuits:
On the teams young players getting time against tougher oppnents:
“A lot of the young guys we have in our lineup, this is a good measuring stick for them — playing against good teams and players.” -Dave Tippett
On teams struggles at home:
“There’s work there, but we need a lot more than work.” – Dave Tippett
Tweet of the game:
50 shades of awful third-period hockey #Coyotes
— CWP (@CactusOnIce) February 15, 2015
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