Game Recap
The Arizona Coyotes ended 2023 on a high note with a 2-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks. It was the second straight win for the Desert Dogs, who could end the year with the top Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
Arizona didn’t take long to get on the board, with Clayton Keller scoring his 13th of the season on the power play from Nick Schmaltz and Alex Kerfoot just seven and a half minutes into the game.
It was a great move by Schmlatz to get the puck to a wide-open Keller, who easily fired it home to give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead.
Keller, Schmaltz, and Kerfoot getting the Coyotes started was great to see, especially given how inconsistent the line has been. The rest of the team has definitely helped take some of the pressure off, but more consistency from the top line next year would absolutely help put the Coyotes over the top as they finish the season.
Anaheim started to surge a bit after giving up the goal, but by the end of the period, the Coyotes had taken over. Mason McTavish and Lawson Crouse would both get roughing calls in the final minute, leading to 4-on-4 hockey to end the opening period and start the second.
Physicality would continue to be a part of the game, and you could tell the former division rivals do not like each other very much. Thankfully, the Coyotes were mostly smart when it came to taking penalties, and their penalty kill was perfect.
The second period would be almost all Coyotes, with the Yotes outshooting the Ducks 14-7 and doubling their lead with a goal from Lawson Crouse.
As great as the shot from Crouse was, Matias Maccelli deserves a lot of credit for the goal. Maccelli brought two Ducks players with him, allowing Crouse to get wide-open, and sent a perfect pass to his linemate. The goal was Crouse’s 16th of the season, as Crouse seems poised to set a new career-high in goals scored.
With two solid periods in the books and a 2-0 goal lead, all that was left was to finish strong in the third period. Outside of an early Zach Sanford penalty, the Yotes did a great job protecting their lead and preserving Connor Ingram’s shutout.
After being held off the board all game, the Ducks elected to pull goaltender John Gibson with over three minutes left, and they had a few Grade A looks with the extra attacker. Thankfully, the Coyotes held firm and Ingram stood tall, giving the Coyotes a 2-0 win.
Last night’s win was just as important as the comeback win over the Colorado Avalanche. A good team needs to steal points from better ones, but they also can’t underestimate the teams below them. It was also an excellent game for Ingram, who had dropped four of his last five games but finished December with three shutouts.
Lines
Three Stars
- Connor Ingram – 28 saves on 28 shots
- Clayton Keller – Game-winning goal
- Lawson Crouse – Goal
Next Game
The Coyotes are off until next Tuesday, when they host the Florida Panthers at Mullett Arena.