Arizona Coyotes hold off Calgary Flames in 2-1 regulation win

This road trip for the Arizona Coyotes has been full of nail-biters, and tonight's game versus the Calgary Flames was no exception.

However, the most important goal of the road trip was accomplished, as the Coyotes beat two of three Pacific Division opponents in regulation, culminating with tonight's 2-1 victory over the Flames in regulation.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0 Calgary: The Flames' power play might be the worst in the league, but it converted in emphatic fashion in the first period. Sean Monahan dangled around the offensive zone and fed a pinching Mark Giordano. Giordano sent it back to Monahan, who sent it to Johnny Gaudreau on the far-side. Louis Domingue had to play the Giordano shot, and was unable to get over in time to stop Gaudreau's snipe. Assists to Monahan and Giordano on the power play goal at 14:37.

1-1 Tie: Arizona would respond with a power play marker of their own. Martin Hanzal's return would prove pivotal, as his screen in front of Karri Ramo allowed Oliver Ekman-Larsson's wrist shot to arrive at the net unharried. A deflection off of a Calgary stick may have changed the trajectory, but Ramo was late in reacting wither way. Assists to Anthony Duclair and Mikkel Boedker on the power play goal at 18:11.

Second Period

Neither the Coyotes or the Flames would find twine in the second, thanks in large part to some stellar goaltending from Ramo and Domingue.

Third Period

2-1 Arizona: Martin Hanzal would once again set the screen that allowed the point shot to go in. This shot came on a give and go between Anthony Duclair and Stefan Elliott. Duclair's turn back towards the end boards would open up enough space for Elliott to take a shot, and with four players in front of the net Ramo never had a chance. Assist to Duclair on the goal at 1:47.

Stat Report

Paw Prints

• For the Calgary perspective, check out Matchsticks and Gasoline.
• Hanzal would not record any points on either goal, but did play 15:34, took two shots, and won 64% of his faceoffs.
• Tonight was the rare occasion that the Coyotes won the Corsi battle; tonight they took it 60-52 after jumping out to a 21-12 lead in the first.
• Louis Domingue has posted a save percentage of .927 or better in the four games since allowing three goals on 22 shots versus Chicago.
• Viktor Tikhonov was the only Coyote to play fewer than 10 minutes. He took only three shifts in the first period, and took a brutal offensive zone holding penalty in the third.
• Arizona's regulation win puts four points between them and the Flames for 4th place in the division, and out of the playoffs.
• With the win tonight, Arizona has now won more games in regulation and overtime this season than they did in 2014/15.

Looking Ahead

Arizona returns to Gila River Arena on Saturday as they take on the Nashville Predators. Puck drops at 7 PM Arizona time.