Final Look: Coyotes Overcome Canucks to Pocket 'Huge Points'

After taking an early lead, the Coyotes were able persevere through a chaotic final frame that saw the teams combine for five goals in the third.

"You could sense the urgency right from the start, just playing responsible hockey and being patient with our game, not really accepting anything but a win," said Darcy Kuemper . "We gave up the lead in the third and that's tough, but we just stuck with it and got two huge goals there."

The Coyotes, following the victory, are now tied in points (74) with both the Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets for the Western Conference's two wild-card playoff spots.

Carl Soderberg cashed in courtesy a heavy forecheck and a friendly bounce to give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead in the first period.

Neither team would etch the scoreboard again until the third, when the Canucks scored two goals in less than three minutes to take a 2-1 lead with 13:46 left in regulation.

Nick Schmaltz tied the game, 2-2, with 9:50 left to play when he shoveled home a rebound from the top of the crease.

Just over two minutes after Schmaltz evened the score, Lawson Crouse reclaimed a lead for the Coyotes when he deflected an Oliver Ekman-Larsson shot past Thatcher Demko while driving the net.

Vinnie Hinostroza registered his 100th NHL point with the secondary assist on Crouse's go-ahead tally and eventual game-winning goal.

Ekman-Larsson sealed the game, burying into Vancouver's empty net with 34 seconds left on the clock.

Kuemper made 36 saves to earn his 16th win of the year.

"We have 14 games left and every point is huge, it's a lot of fun right now, this is fun hockey," Crouse said. "We have a pretty special group in there, it's a lot of fun, we want to do something special in this locker room and for the state of Arizona, and obviously tonight's a big example of that. We've got to keep going for the rest of the road trip."

TRACKING IT

GAME #68: ARIZONA (4) at VANCOUVER (2)

• SOG: ARI - 40, VAN - 38
• PP: ARI - 1/3, VAN - 1/3

ARIZONA SCORING:

• 1) Soderberg PPG (16) (Unassisted) - 7:27/1st
• 2) Schmaltz (9) (Soderberg) - 10:10/3rd
• 3) Crouse (15) (Ekman-Larsson, Hinostroza) - 12:39/3rd
• 4) Ekman-Larsson ENG (9) (Hjalmarsson, Stepan) - 19:25/3rd

VANCOUVER SCORING:

• 1) Toffoli PPG (23) (Miller, Hughes) - 3:19/3rd
• 2) Pearson (20) (Virtanen) - 6:16/3rd

THEY SAID IT

DON'T OVERLOOK IT

THE SITUATION: Darcy Kuemper's breakaway stop on Jake Virtanen

There were a number of high-quality stops included in Darcy Kuemper's 36 saves Wednesday night, but none more impressive than his denial of a Jake Virtanen breakaway in the opening moments of the second period.

With the Coyotes nursing a 1-0 lead, Kuemper flashed his glove to smother the Vancouver forward's Grade-A look, finishing with a windmill-like follow-through for a little added flair.

GOTTA SEE IT

THE SITUATION: Lawson Crouse's game-winning goal

A big body with hand-eye coordination is a deadly combination in front of the net.

And that describes Lawson Crouse's go-ahead goal, the night's eventual game-winner, which was netted with 7:21 left in regulation.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson directed a well-placed wrist shot toward the net and Crouse got a piece of the captain's puck while simultaneously screening the goaltender to give the Coyotes a lead they would not relinquish.

PHOTO FINISH

Area 67. And smile. Lawson Crouse, occupying prime real estate atop the crease, lifts his arm while maintaining balance on his right skate moments after redirecting home his 15th goal of the season on Wednesday night, giving the Coyotes a 3-2 lead in the third period of the team's 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. (Photo Credit: Derek Cain - Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Lead Photo Credit: Jeff Vinnick - NHLI via Getty Images // GIF Highlight Footage: Fox Sports Arizona