Arizona Coyotes defeat lowly Colorado Avalanche 1-0

When you are 29th in the league like the Arizona Coyotes are, there aren’t a whole lot of teams you are “supposed” to beat. The 30th place team is. And the Coyotes did.

Arizona defeated the Colorado Avalanche 1-0 on Monday night in Glendale for their second win in a row, capping off a 2-1-1 homestand.

Scoring Summary

First Period

No scoring in the first period as both teams combined for just nine shots. Not exactly an explosive start to the game.

Second Period

1-0 Arizona - Brendan Perlini continues his torrid goal scoring pace with his 13th this season in 43 games. On a rush led by Peter Holland, Tobias Rieder streaked ahead and drew the defender’s attention away from Perlini, who received the feed from Holland and uncorked his signature wrist shot to open the scoring. Assists to Holland and Rieder on the goal at 3:49.

Third Period

No scoring in the last frame either as Max Domi was denied on a breakaway by Calvin Pickard early in the third period.

Three Answers

1. Will the rookies stay hot? - Brendan Perlini shows no signs of slowing down after scoring the game’s only goal tonight.

2. Can the Yotes tighten up on defense? - Arizona did a much better job tonight, which probably was made easier by playing a struggling Avs team.

3. Can the Coyotes maintain a lead? - The Coyotes held on to a one goal lead for more than half the game, which was impressive, even against the Avs.

Players of the Game

Colorado - Calvin Pickard - Pickard had a tremendous night in net for the Avs, making 34 saves on 35 shots. Most nights, that would have been good enough for the win.

Arizona - Max Domi - Perlini and Smith were great tonight, but Max Domi was denied on two separate chances by Perlini, and was dangerous all night long, with a game high five shots on net in 15:46.

Paw Prints

• For more on the Colorado Avalanche, check out Mile High Hockey
• Shane Doan missed much of the first period after colliding with Jakob Chychrun during warm-ups before the game.
• Anthony DeAngelo took two minor penalties against Blake Comeau on the same shift, which resulted in a four-minute power play for Colorado. He did not play the rest of the period, and logged only 10:13.
• Arizona took 19 shots in the second period and 11 in the third period.
• Per Arizona Sports’ Craig Morgan, Colorado has now been shut-out in 12 of their 49 losses this season.
• Mike Smith recorded his 22nd career shutout as a Coyote, which is a new franchise record.

Looking Ahead

Arizona is off to Los Angeles for a game against the Kings tomorrow night. Puck drop is at 7:30 PM Arizona time.