Arizona Coyotes blanked by resurgent St. Louis Blues

If the Arizona Coyotes aren’t able to get the win, at least they’re making sure the Los Angeles Kings don’t either.

Jake Allen recorded his fourth shutout this season in the St. Louis Blues’ 3-0 victory over the Coyotes on Saturday night at Gila River Arena. The win moved the Blues six points clear of the Kings for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0 St. Louis - St. Louis converted at the very end of an early power play as Alex Pietrangelo’s point shot found its way through traffic and past Mike Smith. Assists to Paul Stastny and Jay Bouwmeester on the power play goal at 6:53.

Second Period

2-0 St. Louis - Former Coyote Scottie Upshall capitalized on a Connor Murphy turnover that sat in the high slot. Upshall was able to quickly spin around and fire it on net, who had no chance while trying to see through three bodies in front. No assists on the goal at 2:52.

Third Period

3-0 St. Louis - Arizona had a six-on-four by virtue of a late power play and an empty net. The Coyotes however were completely unable to get anything going on the power play, and the Blues were able to carry the puck out of their end and feed David Perron for the empty-netter from center ice. Assist to Colton Parayko on the empty-net shorthanded goal at 18:57.

Three Answers

1. Can the Coyotes clean up their act? - The good news is the Coyotes only gave up one power play. The bad news was it was a five minute major less than two minutes into the game.
2. Have the Coyotes learned how to answer? - With the major penalty, St. Louis was able to take a 10-1 shot advantage after ten minutes of the first period. By intermission, that lead was 16-3. Not exactly responding.
3. Will the late game offense continue to show up? - The Coyotes would have been happy with any offense showing up tonight. It did not come.

Players of the Game

St. Louis - Jake Allen - Allen made 31 saves for his second shutout in six games.

Arizona - Mike Smith - Smith stopped 37 of 39 shots in what was a solid body of work, with both goals allowed coming through traffic.

Paw Prints

• For more on the St. Louis Blues, check out St. Louis Game Time
• Nail Yakupov was a scratch tonight for the Blues.
• Shane Doan did not play in tonight’s game. Teemu Pulkkinen took his place and played 8:43.
• Anthony DeAngelo left the game early in the first period after taking a boarding major and game misconduct on this boarding penalty on St. Louis’ Zach Sanford:

• Vladimir Tarasenko was granted a penalty shot in the late moments of the second period. Mike Smith outlasted Tarasenko on the approach and stopped the shot to preserve the two goal deficit.
• St. Louis has now won seven of their last eight contests.

Looking Ahead

Arizona heads to the East Coast for the final time this season with five games away from home. The first is in the Music City against the Nashville Predators on Monday night. Puck drop is at 5:00 PM Arizona time.