Canucks settle for loser point, falling to Coyotes in overtime

Galchenyuk scores winner for Arizona after Gaudette netted equalizer for Vancouver

VANCOUVER — Alex Galchenyuk scored 1:54 into overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Bo Horvat and Adam Gaudette scored for Vancouver (26-27-8) in regulation.

Jakob Chychrun and Lawson Crouse responded for Arizona (28-28-5).

Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom stopped 35-of-38 shots, while Darcy Kuemper had 30 saves for the Coyotes.

The victory moves Arizona within a point of the Minnesota Wild, who hold the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Vancouver lingers a single point behind the Coyotes.

Thursday’s extra time followed a feisty third period that saw Arizona fire 20 shots, compared to four from the Canucks.

Crouse gave the Coyotes the lead with 4:15 to go in the game, taking a behind-the-net pass from Josh Archibald and rocketing a wrist shot past Markstrom.

Gaudette returned fire with a wicked one-timer less than two minutes later, forcing overtime.

Vancouver opened the scoring 9:47 into the first period after Markus Granlund made a between-the-legs pass to Antoine Roussel along the boards. The left-winger got tripped up as he streaked to the net but still managed to slice a backhander across the crease to Horvat, who popped the puck up and in past Keumper.

Vancouver dominated across the first two periods but couldn’t maintain control in the third.

Canucks defenceman Derrick Pouliot was called for hooking midway through the third period and the Coyotes capitalized on the man advantage.

Chychrun’s shot flew over Markstrom’s glove to get Arizona on the board, appearing to bounce off the stick of Vancouver’s Jay Beagle on the way in.

The Canucks will be back in action on Saturday when they host the New York Islanders. The Coyotes are headed back to Arizona, where they’ll battle the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.

NOTES: Ryan Spooner made his Canucks debut Thursday after being acquired from the Edmonton Oilers for Sam Gagner.

The Canadian Press Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ben Hutton, right, checks Arizona Coyotes forward Nick Cousins during first-period NHL action in VancouveronThursdaynight.TheCanuckslost3-2inovertime.

The Canadian Press Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom stops Arizona Coyotes forward Mario Kempe during the first period of Thursday’s game in Vancouver.