The Wrap: Coyotes Out-Shoot Islanders, but Visitors Emerge as Victors
Arizona falls to the New York Islanders, 3-0
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Arizona out-shot New York on Saturday, including holding the visitors to four in the opening period, but could not find the back of the net in its 3-0 loss at Gila River Arena.
The physical affair saw a combined 63 hits and featured a fight at center ice between Liam O'Brien and Matt Martin. The total hit count and combined blocked shot figures (30) between the clubs set a new high for a Coyotes game this year. However, the high-tempo game did not result in lighting the lamp for the first time this season.
"I think for now it's puck luck. We had breakaways, we shots from the slot, we had one-timer shots, we had rebounds, we had a little bit of everything," said Head Coach André Tourigny. "I think that's a pretty damn good team on the other side. They're a Stanley Cup contender, and I think we did a pretty good job."
The Islanders converted on a pair of key goals late in each of the first two periods. Cal Clutterbuck broke the ice with under four minutes to go, an unassisted marker that gave the Isles a 1-0 lead after one. The score was on the verge of remaining that way after 40 minutes, but a tough-luck deflection doubled the ledger 19:49 into the second and widened New York's lead to 2-0 going into the second intermission.
"It's frustrating but we have to take all the positives out of this one and move on," said O'Brien. "Move on really quickly - we have a big road trip. We are doing all the right things and it is going to pay off."
The Islanders added another insurance goal late in the third and kept their foot on the gas pedal as the 3-0 score would hold the rest of the way.
"I think we deserved better fate," said Conor Timmins. "We played a good game for the most part, but at the end of the day you have to win hockey games. We haven't been able to do that, so we have to find a way."
Playing in his first game as a Coyote at Gila River Arena, O'Brien made his presence felt with four hits and answered the bell when challenged to a fight.
Karel Vejmelka finished the game with 21 saves, including a breakaway stop that was originally called a goal but overturned upon goalie interference review.
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The Game:
First Period (NYI 1, ARI 0): Cal Clutterbuck (2), unassisted at 16:32.
Second Period (NYI 2, ARI 0):Brock Nelson (2), assisted by Josh Bailey (2) and Noah Dobson (3) at 19:49.
Third Period (NYI 3, ARI 0):Anthony Beauvillier (2), assisted by Brock Nelson (1) and Kyle Palmieri (3) at 10:51.
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Statistics:
SOG:ARI - 26, NYI - 24
PP:ARI - 0/1, NYI - 1/2
Hits:ARI - 25, NYI - 38
Blocks:ARI - 14, NYI - 16
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Tourigny's Take: "I think we played a solid game, really proud of the way the guys battled and their structure, the way they were focused. It's one of those nights I think we deserved better and something to show for, but we don't. I think at the end of the season that will balance out but I'm proud of the focus and the way we played."
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Liam O'Brien said:"We played a really good hockey game tonight. I think that we could manage that third period a little bit better, just the momentum, but overall, I think we played a really good game tonight."
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Notable:
• Liam O'Brien recorded the Coyotes' first fighting major at home. Per hockeyfights.com, O'Brien's fight with Matt Martin is his seventh in the NHL and first since 4/11/21.
• Jakob Chychrun recorded 26:14 of ice time, his highest total in a regulation game in 2021-22.
• The four Islanders shots allowed in the opening frame marks the lowest total the Coyotes have surrendered in a regulation period this season.
• Arizona set a new single-game season high for team hits (26).
• Johan Larsson skated in his 450th career game. The center logged 18:14 and chipped in two hits and a shot on goal.
• Both Phil Kessel (905) and Clayton Keller (295) extended their consecutive games played streaks. Kessel now enters Monday five shy of tying Patrick Marleau's fourth-place slot of 910.
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Coyotes Lineup:
Forwards
Crouse - Larsson - Keller
Jaškin - Schmaltz - Kessel
Ladd - Beagle - Dzingel
O'Brien - Fischer - Eriksson
Defensemen
Chychrun - Stralman
Gostisbehere - Soderstrom
Lyubushkin - Timmins
Scratches
Roussel
Boyd
Mayo
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Roster Notes:Liam O'Brien cracked the lineup for the second time this season. On the blueline, Victor Soderstrom drew back in.
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What's Next:Arizona hits the road beginning with a Monday game in South Florida against the Florida Panthers. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. AZ time (7 p.m. local) The game will be broadcasted on Bally Sports Arizona and 620 AM.
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Photo of the Game:Johan Larsson skates to retrieve the puck in the corner. Saturday was Larsson's 450th career game played.
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