Arizona Coyotes Score Late, Manage 2-1 Shootout Win Against Wild

The Arizona Coyotes began their final two games before the All-Star break with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild. Louis Domingue saved 34 of 35 shots, while Antoine Vermette tied the game at the end of regulation. Anthony Duclair’s filthy backhander in the shootout won it for the Coyotes.

The Arizona Coyotes were sleepwalking through the first two periods against the Minnesota Wild.

All of them except Louis Domingue, perhaps, who stopped all 24 shots he faced in those two frames.

The matchup was actually a pretty boring affair until the Coyotes awoke in the third period and promptly doubled their first two periods shot total in the first ten minutes.

Unfortunately, it was right after the ten minute mark of the third period when Charlie Coyle backhanded a rebound past Domingue after a miscue by Michael Stone.

With less than two minutes remaining and the Arizona Coyotes killing a Martin Hanzal penalty, the good guys finally got on the board.

A misplay by Devan Dubnyk allowed Tobias Rieder to snag the puck and fire a laser to Antoine Vermette, who rifled the puck into the empty net for the Coyotes’ first shorthanded goal of the season. It also tied the game at 1-1.

After the Coyotes successfully held off the last of the Wild’s power play through the end of regulation and the beginning of overtime, Mikkel Boedker drew a penalty and put the Arizona Coyotes on a glorious 4-on-3 power play in OT.

One minute into the man advantage, the Coyotes appeared to score but Boedker was ruled to have interfered with Dubnyk and the goal was disallowed.

Overtime continued on at a stalemate and the two teams went to the shootout.

Louis Domingue stopped all three shots he faced and Anthony Duclair beat Dubnyk with a beautiful backhand to win it.

Arizona Coyotes win 2-1!

Player Performance

Anthony Duclair decided to shoot the puck. He had six shots on goal in the game, and as the contest was winding down he was on fire on the ice. That’s a nice response to being put on the fourth line. That shootout winner was pretty dece too.

Antoine Vermette, he of the disappointing play this season, scored a huge goal to take this game to overtime. As much as he’s been a detriment at times, you have to hand it to him for coming through tonight.

Jarred Tinordi is looking good in an Arizona Coyotes jersey. He’s throwing the body and making smart plays with the puck. Mainly it’s evident he’s just trying to keep it simple and not do too much, and that’s all the Yotes need from him right now.

Connor Murphy played 23:58 tonight and contributed 5 hits, 3 shots, and 2 blocks to the cause. The more aggressive Murphy is the more I like him. Let’s hope he continues to progress.

Arizona Coyotes Player of the Game

There can be no other. This game was all about Louis Domingue. His steady play has backstopped his team into playoff contention deep in January, and tonight his stellar work in net kept the Coyotes in the game just long enough for the hockey gods to smile upon them.

34 saves on the night, plus three in the shootout. Lou-indeed.

The View From The 200 Level

The Arizona Coyotes did not deserve to win this game.

At least not until that terrible, horrible, no good, very bad no-goal call in overtime. After that, they had to win it out of spite. And they did, thanks to Louis and Duclair.

Next: Coyotes' Top 5 Ugly Goals Of 2014-15

The Coyotes have to do something about these all too frequent terrible starts. It’s not a sustainable model for victory. Lucky for them the puck luck was on their side tonight, and they ultimately put up 17 shots in the third period after managing just six in the first two periods.

After tonight’s extended workload it’s almost a guarantee that we’ll see Anders Lindback in net due to the back-to-back. That’s not exactly an encouraging thought.

The Arizona Coyotes face the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow night in Winnipeg. It’ll be their last game before the week long All-Star break.