Game Recap
The Arizona Coyotes’ losing streak is finally over, with a 4-3 overtime win over the Boston Bruins last night. It was a white-knuckle game that saw teams trade leads, but the Desert Dogs emerged victorious after some timely goals and an outstanding performance by Connor Ingram.
Special teams would prove to be a significant factor in last night’s game, and it didn’t take long for that to start. After the Coyotes failed to convert on their first power play early in the game, the Bruins got their first chance with the man advantage when Matt Dumba was sent to the box for hooking four minutes in. The Bruins have an excellent power play, and it took only a minute for David Pastrňák to score his 25th of the season, giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead.
Other than that goal, it was an excellent first period for the Coyotes. They outshot the Bruins 12-6 and looked engaged all 20 minutes. The score was disappointing, but the Coyotes did a great job of preventing the Bruins from building momentum after they scored.
The Yotes finally broke through in the second period on their second power play. It was Clayton Keller’s chance to light the lamp as he went hard to the front of the net and knocked in his own rebound to tie the game.
Dylan Guenther registered the lone assist on the goal as the young forward continues to stand out in his chance with the main club.
But the tie didn’t last long, and it took only 51 seconds for the Bruins to respond. Jesper Boqvist picked up a loose puck in the Bruins’ zone and fired it past a possibly screened Ingram, making it 2-1 Bruins.
In prior games, giving up a second game may have been the end for the Coyotes, who have struggled to score their second goal lately. But thankfully, Dylan Guenther really doesn’t want to go back to Tucson, and he tied it up with a rocket of a shot.
Logan Cooley and Nick Bjugstad assisted on the goal, which was fired from the middle of the ice at the top of the faceoff circle. It was a fantastic goal from Guenther, who had an excellent night against one of the top teams.
The third period started with the Coyotes getting their first lead of the game from Matias Maccelli less than a minute in. Lawson Crouse, who was excellent in the first period with multiple Grade-A chances, went hard to the net, only to see Linus Ullmark make the save. Thankfully, Maccelli was following him and hit home the rebound to make it 3-2 Coyotes.
Unfortunately, the Coyotes’ lead would not last long. Crouse’s stick broke on a shot, and after playing the puck with it, he was sent to the box for two minutes. Jake DeBrusk converted on the power play, tying the game with just under 15 minutes left in the regulation.
Neither team was able to get the game-winner, thanks in part to some massive saves by goaltender Connor Ingram late in the period. Ingram had to make some truly amazing saves all game, and it was great to see the team in front of him provide some support.
Overtime featured a few chances on both ends, but the critical moment came midway through overtime. Bruins’ goaltender Ullmark went into the butterfly to stop a shot and fell to the ice, unable to get up. No one made contact with him, and the puck went over the net and didn’t touch him, but Ullmark needed assistance to leave the ice.
With Ulmark out and Jeremy Swayman in, the Coyotes scored on their first shot against him, with Nick Schmaltz getting the game-winner.
It was a simple wrist shot from Schmaltz that went post and in, giving the Coyotes their first win of 2024 and preventing them from being swept by the Bruins.
Lines
Three Stars
- Dylan Guenther – Goal and an assist
- David Pastrňák – Goal
- Connor Ingram – 30 saves on 33 shots
Next Game
The Coyotes homestand will come to an end on Thursday with a match against the Calgary Flames.