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Arizona Coyotes Score First Still Fall To Penguins 3-1

By Richard Flores

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The Arizona Coyotes stretch of disappointing losses continued on Saturday as they managed to score first less than two minutes into the game shorthanded, but than faltered in the second period in a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Tobias Rieder earned the second star of the game in the loss and definitely deserved it; he was on the ice in every situation and excelled in all three. He led his the team with six shots on goal including a beautiful short handed goal, his third short hander of the season, and 12th overall on a feed from Dave Moss to give the Coyotes the surprising 1-0 lead early.

“I was just trying to get myself open and if he shoots it I’m in a great spot for a rebound,” Rieder said.

Rieder’s goal sparked a pretty big first period for the Arizona Coyotes as they ended up outshooting the Penguins 13-3 after the first period. Pittsburgh didn’t even get a shot on goal until after the midway point of the  period.

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The second period however was once again the Arizona Coyotes downfall, as they gave up two goals in a four minute span to put the Penguins ahead for good including one of the weirdest goals Mike Smith has ever given up — giving the butt goal a run for its money. Smith played the puck in behind his net on the penalty kill and was looking to clear the zone with it but instead he banked it off Penguins Center Brandon Sutter and into the Coyotes goal to tie the game at one.

“That was a poor decision on his part, we had an open defensemen that he probably could have moved that to, so its just  one of those errors you’d like to have back,” Coach Dave Tippett said.

“They were a team struggling to score goals and they got a break on that one,” Tippett said.

Minutes later the Penguins scored once again on a deflection off the stick of former Coyote Daniel Winnik for a 2-1 second period lead.

Mar 21, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) gives up a goal to Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Daniel Winnik (not pictured) in the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

“We just slowed down a little bit,” Rieder said. “They knew we were here to play so they came out a little harder and we were just not on that pace that we were in the first period.”

The Coyotes were doubled up in shots in the second period 22-11 but were able to regain their competitiveness in the third.

“I liked the way we played in the third,” Tippett said. “We came out and when you look at the last three minutes we had two quality chances to get even and unfortunately we couldn’t bury it”

Sidney Crosby earned the night’s first star with an empty net goal and an assist on Winnik’s game winner.

With the loss the Coyotes have now lost 17 of 18 and with Edmonton’s win on Saturday are still 29th in the league standings.

They play Vancouver on Sunday to close out this three game home stint before heading out on the road.

Tweet of the game:

Doggy Biscuits:

  • Mike Smith stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced for yet another game with better than a .900 save percentage
  • Rieder is now second in the NHL with three short handed goals this season

Next: Arizona Coyotes With Connor McDavid In The Lineup

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