Game Recap
The Arizona Coyotes walked out of Columbus with two points last night, although it may have cost them. Barrett Hayton, Logan Cooley, and Lawson Crouse scored in the Yotes 3-2 victory, but Hayton and Matias Maccelli left in the second period due to injuries sustained in the game.
The best part about the opening period was that the Coyotes finished it without giving up a goal. Outside a brief window a few minutes in, the Blue Jackets outplayed the Coyotes for the opening 20. The two late Coyotes penalties certainly didn’t do them any favors, and for a while, it looked like this would be another repeat of last week’s game against the Blues.
Things would undoubtedly get more eventful in the second period. Barrett Hayton would score the first Coyotes goal, tying the game after Damon Severson started the scoring less than two minutes into the period.
Michael Kesselring, who was playing in his first NHL game of the season, assisted on the goal, as did defenseman Matt Dumba. Hayton was in a perfect position in front of the net to knock home a rebound, tying the game.
Unfortunately, Hayton wouldn’t finish the period and would go to the back with an upper-body injury. Later that period, Maccelli would take a puck up high, which knocked out a few of his teeth, and he would also miss the rest of the game.
After losing two key players, it was up to the Coyotes to respond in the third period. After killing off a penalty, the Coyotes would get their second power play of the game when David Jiříček was sent to the box, and they made the Blue Jackets pay.
Logan Cooley notched the goal, his second of the season, from Sean Durzi and Clayton Keller on the power play, giving the Coyotes their first lead of the game. Lawson Crouse followed that up 28 seconds later with his seventh of the season, and suddenly, the Coyotes were up 3-1.
Nick Bjugstad was the lone assist on the goal, which would prove to be the game-winner. Severson would get his second of the night late in the game when Elvis Merzlikins sat for an extra attacker, but the Blue Jackets couldn’t get the equalizer, and the Coyotes finished with two points.
After losing two key contributors, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the Coyotes fell apart in the third period. But the team pulled together and showed they were the better club, allowing them to overtake the St. Louis Blues in the standings and tie with the Winnipeg Jets, their next opponents.
Lines
Three Stars
- Barrett Hayton – Goal
- Damon Severson – 2 goals
- Connor Ingram – 39 saves on 41 shots
Next Game
The Coyotes will finish their road trip against the Winnipeg Jets this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Arizona time.