The Wrap: Vejmelka Makes NHL History with 46-Save Shutout

Final Score: Coyotes 1, Jets 0

Karel Vejmelka made both NHL and franchise history with a 46-save shutout in the Coyotes' 1-0 victory over the Jets on Monday at Canada Life Centre. The 46 saves are tied for the most by a goalie in his first regular-season shutout in NHL history, tied for the third-most in a shutout by a rookie in NHL history and the second most ever in a shutout in franchise history (Mike Smith, 54 saves on April 3, 2012).
"Every single minute we played really well as a team," said Vejmelka. "My teammates did a really great job on defense and blocking shots, which was a big part of this win. It was a team win, and we need to keep it going right now."
It was Vejmelka's first start since the Coyotes' OT win on Nov. 21. The rookie indicated early he brought his A-game and stopped all 17 Jets shots he saw in the first period. Winnipeg continued to rack up the shots on goal in the second period as well, but Vejmelka was up to the task as he added 15 more saves to his total.
"Veggie, obviously all credit goes to him. What a performance. Well deserved," said Christian Fischer. "So happy for him to get a win and a shutout on top of that."
Despite being outshot 31-11 late in the second period, Arizona recorded the game's first goal when Antoine Roussel got a pass from Loui Eriksson to the doorstep and redirected it past Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck. The goal was the only one from either team and Arizona took a 1-0 lead into the second intermission.

Winnipeg added 14 more shots in the final frame, but once again Vejmelka kept the Jets at bay. The Coyotes were penalized four times in the third period, including a double-minor on Kyle Capobianco at 14:52, but Vejmelka and the penalty kill unit stepped up and finished the night 6-for-6 on the P.K. Arizona withstood one last shorthanded situation in the final eight seconds and held on to a 1-0 win, the club's first shutout of 2021-22.
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The Game:

First Period (ARI 0, WPG 0): No scoring.
Second Period (ARI 1, WPG 0):Antoine Roussel (3), assisted by Loui Eriksson (3) and Ilya Lyubushkin (4) at 17:59.
Third Period (ARI 1, WPG 0): No scoring.
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Statistics:
SOG:ARI - 15, WPG - 46
PP: ARI - 0/1, WPG - 0/6
Hits: ARI - 15, WPG - 16
Blocks: ARI - 16, WPG - 6

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                                      Tourigny's Take: "Thank god we had Veggie. Honestly tonight I think it's payback time for some games early in the season when we played really well and we couldn't find a way to win. I don't think we played very well offensively. We lacked execution, but I still liked the way the guys fought."
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Christian Fischer said: "We gave up too many grade-A shots. We can't always rely on our goaltender. So, stuff to clean up. But I love the compete and battle level of our guys - sacrificing bodies. It was an awesome, awesome team win and I think we needed that."
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Notable:

• Karel Vejmelka's 46-save shutout tied Dan Bouchard (Dec. 13, 1972) for the most saves in first career shutout in NHL history (Note: NHL first started tracking saves in 1955-56).
• Only six rookies in NHL history have recorded 46-plus save shutouts. The last player to do it was Mackenzie Blackwood for New Jersey on Feb. 6, 2020.
• Vejmelka's 46 saves is the highest total an NHL goalie has recorded in a shutout so far in 2021-22. It's the most by any netminder since Anthony Stolarz also had 46 for Anaheim on April 12, 2021.
• The Coyotes last won 1-0 on Feb. 15, 2021 vs. St. Louis. The last time they won 1-0 on the road (excluding shootout-deciding goals) was Feb. 16, 2012 at Los Angeles.
• Monday is the second time in franchise history the Coyotes have won a game where they allowed 46-plus shots on goal and recorded 15 or fewer shots on goal. (Other: Jan. 24, 2004 vs Detroit; 5-2 W).
• Antoine Roussel scored in back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 3-7, 2019 when he was with the Vancouver Canucks.
• Winnipeg's Dylan DeMelo was whistled for hooking Liam O'Brien in the first period. It was O'Brien's 10th penalty drawn this season which leads the Coyotes.
• Barrett Hayton skated in his 50th career NHL game.
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Coyotes Lineup:
Forwards
Keller - Boyd - Kessel
Crouse - Hayton - Fischer
Roussel - Dzingel - Eriksson
O'Brien - Galchenyuk - Ladd

Defensemen
Chychrun - Lyubushkin
Gostisbehere - Mayo
Capobianco - Strålman

Scratches
Dineen
Larsson
Fasching
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Roster Notes: Forward Christian Fischer was activated off Injured Reserve and returned to the lineup after missing seven games due to an upper-body injury.
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What's Next:Arizona crosses the border back into the United States and will play the first-place Minnesota Wild Tuesday (Nov. 30) for the second half of a back-to-back set. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and will be broadcasted on Bally Sports Arizona and ESPN 620 AM.
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Photo of the Game: Karel Vejmelka is greeted by Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton shortly after the final buzzer of Arizona's 1-0 win over Winnipeg. Vejmelka earned the first Coyotes shutout of 2021-22.

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