Arizona Coyotes return home; defeat Maple Leafs 3-2

Its amazing what happens when you get good play at even strength.

You tend to win more often than not. The Coyotes proved that point on Tuesday, scoring all three of their goals at even strength in a 3-2 victory at home over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Even strength play has been one of the Coyotes’ biggest struggles this season; coming into Tuesday night’s game, the Coyotes had been outscored 30-13 while five on five. Tonight, though, they kept Toronto scoreless at even strength as well. Here is the five on five shot attempts chart courtesy of War On Ice.

The win also gives the Coyotes back to back wins for the second time this season, and improved their record at home to 4-2.

The Coyotes opened the scoring with two goals in the first period, off the sticks of Sam Gagner and Martin Erat. However, it took a big 5on3 penalty kill to get the Coyotes going. After that kill, they began to dominate possession. They outshot Toronto ten to three after one period.

Gagner was the beneficiary of a Toronto defensive zone turnover and a great pass from Lauri Korpikoski to give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead, something they have only experienced three times before this season. The difference tonight, though was that when they got the lead the Coyotes continued to get better.

Nov 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Martin Hanzal (11) is stopped by Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Martin Erat continued his strong start to the season with his fourth goal this season, thanks to a little lucky bounce off the skate of a Toronto player. This gave the Coyotes a two goal lead, something the Coyotes haven’t been to accustomed to this season- at all.

They held that lead into the locker room but didn’t stop there.

Antoine Vermette scored six minutes into the second period to put the Coyotes up by three goals. The Coyotes were even outshooting the Leafs 20-6 at one point during that period.

The Leafs didn’t go away easily, though, as they scored twice on the power play to get themselves back in the game. Unfortunately for them, though, they ran into a very good Mike Smith. Smith probably had his best game of the season, stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced. He earned the games second star as well.