Game Recap
The Arizona Coyotes dropped their second straight game, falling 5-3 to the Boston Bruins. Arizona trailed most of the game and started their three-game road trip with a loss to one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Today was always going to be a tough matchup for the Desert Dogs. The Bruins are one of the best teams in the NHL, and they came ready to play.
After a brief Coyotes flurry to start the game, the Bruins took control with two goals late in the first period. David Pastrňák and Charlie Coyle both lit the lamp for the Bruins in the final five minutes of the opening frame, and the Bruins didn’t look back.
Arizona had two power plays prior to Pastrňák opening up the scoring but failed to convert on either opportunity. The Bruins have the top penalty kill in the NHL, and they showed why repeatedly over the course of the game.
The second period started with 35 seconds of Coyotes’ power play time, but they failed to convert. Unfortunately, not long after the Bruins killed their third penalty of the game, Sean Durzi was sent to the box for hooking on a relatively weak call. But the Bruins converted with their opportunity, with Kevin Shattenkirk getting his second of the season.
Down 3-0, it looked like the Coyotes were out for the game, but the Desert Dogs put together a good response. Clayton Keller got the Yotes on the board just under three minutes into the second period with his ninth from Jason Zucker and Juuso Välimäki, and Carcone notched his 13th of the season just 32 seconds later.
Unfortunately, the Bruins weren’t about to go down without a fight, and they regained their two-goal lead midway through the second period. Danton Heinen would light the lamp for the Bruins, and the second period ended with the Bruins up 4-2.
The Coyotes started the third period ready to play, and it didn’t take long for them to prove. Lawson Crouse cut Boston’s lead in half just under three and half minutes in with his 12th of the season, with both Matias Maccelli and Nick Bjugstad picking up assists.
It was a great pass from Maccelli, one of the Coyotes’ most underrated players, and a great move by Crouse to get the Yotes back within one with most of the remaining period.
Unfortunately for the Desert Dogs, that is where the good times ended. They had two third-period power plays, but the Bruins’ penalty kill remained perfect and kept the Coyotes off the boards. A late goal by Pastrňák with five and half minutes left would kill any hope of a comeback for the Coyotes.
While a win would have been nice, today’s loss is understandable. The Bruins are one of the top teams in the NHL, and their top-rated penalty kill killed all five of the Coyotes’ power plays. If the Bruins had underestimated the Coyotes and come out flat, it could have been a different story, but they were clearly ready to play, and they walked away with two well-deserved points.
Lines
Three Stars
- David Pastrňák – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Michael Carcone – Goal
- Trent Frederic – 2 assists
Next Game
The Coyotes will be back in action on Monday as they face off against the Buffalo Bills.