Coyotes roll to home win over Blackhawks
The Arizona Coyotes outwilled and showed fight against the Chicago Blackhawks to bounce back at Mullett Arena.
Both teams remain deadlocked in a tight race for the draft lottery with single digits separating both teams from the bottom of the league.
Up against a sluggish Blackhawks team, the Coyotes (21-30-9) capitalized on key mistakes that led to the 4-1 win on Tuesday.
Nick Schmaltz scored a goal in his fourth consecutive game and has recorded 18 points in his last 14 games. Clayton Keller had two assists and combined for 40 points with Schmaltz in 14 ames.
Andreas Athanasiou broke the shutout going for Coyotes goaltender Karel Vejmelka at 18:31 in the third period. Vejmelka made some spectacular saves and stopped 23 shots.
Outside coming in
With trades buzzing around the league, Friday’s trade deadline continues to shift teams and played a role in
Tuesday’s game.
The Coyotes played without center Nick Bjugstad after he was a healthy scratch for trade-related reasons. Bjugstad was replaced on the second line by Jack McBain and forward Laurent Dauphin was recalled from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).
“He’s an unbelievable person and we all knew that was coming, by we I mean the coaches and players,” Coyotes head coach Andre Tourigny said. “We knew of the possibility; nothing is done yet as far as I know. It will be sad to see him leave.”
The Blackhawks played without its star winger Patrick Kane after he was traded to the New York Rangers Tuesday afternoon.
The Coyotes were involved in the three-team trade and will take on 25% of Kane’s $10.5 million contract. For taking on the portion, the Coyotes will receive a 2025 third-round pick.
Strong start
There was a noticeable difference between the energy levels of both teams in the first period. The Coyotes had ample rest after Sunday’s home game while the Blackhawks came in after playing in Anaheim
the night before.
Blackhawks defenseman Ian Mitchell couldn’t outwill Travis Boyd on the rush when Boyd lifted his shot from the slot and snuck through a tight angle at 10:07 in the first period.
There was some delay after Barrett Hayton’s goal, but several confirmations awarded him his ninth goal of the season. Hayton was tangled in front of the net with Blackhawks defenseman Caleb Jones when Schmaltz’s shot from the point deflected off Hayton and fell into
the net at 18:37.
Jack McBain’s physical style of play has made him a fixture in the lineup from his team-leading 208 hits. His hit on Mitchell near the net around the 13-minute mark drew ire from defenseman Jarred Tinordi and developed into a brawl. Both took their licks, but it was McBain who benefited the Coyotes with a roughing minor tacked onto Tinordi’s fighting call.
“I was a little tired and it went pretty long, but it was fun,” McBain said. “It gets some adrenaline going and some energy for the team, so it’s something I can do and help the team with.”
McBain’s line had a good forecheck at the net with several attempts until Troy Stecher helped make a way for McBain’s shot to go through for a 3-0 lead at 15:32 in the second.
“He had the opportunity to step up and play with Maccelli and Crouser and he did a really good job,” Tourigny said. “Right from the get-go, he was really aggressive and made a few plays with the puck and he was in the right place mentally.”