'Yotes Notes: Vrbata Keeps Producing Points

GLENDALE -Radim Vrbata is on a roll.
The Coyotes forward notched two points on Sunday night, including the game-winning goal, to lead Arizona to a thrilling, come-from-behind win over the Buffalo Sabres at Gila River Arena.

Tied 2-2, Vrbata beat Sabres goalie Anders Nilsson with a slap shot through traffic from just inside the blue line with 18.9 seconds left in the third period. The goal was Vrbata's fourth in the past four games, his team-high 15th of the season, and his 600th NHL point.
Arizona trailed, 2-0, after two periods.
"I thought their goalie was playing so well that it would be tough to get something by him," Vrbata said. "It was good that we found ways."
Reporters again asked Vrbata why he has produced so many points (46) this season after netting just 27 last season with Vancouver.
"It seems 'Tip' knows how to use me and I like to play his style of game," Vrbata said, referring to Head Coach Dave Tippett.
Early in the third period, Vrbata assisted on Max Domi's goal at 6:42 to extend his point streak to a career-high nine games. The team record for a point streak is 11 games set by Jeremy Roenick in 1999 and Shane Doan in 2008.

• Down 2-1, forward Jamie McGinn tied the score by scoring the 100th goal of his NHL career at 13:41 of the third period.
The goal was McGinn's ninth of the season and his first since Jan. 19.
"A sigh of relief is an understatement," McGinn said. "It felt like the longest drought of my career, but I feel like I've been practicing well and working hard and doing extra things in the gym. Not always are you rewarded right away, but if you continue to work hard and stay positive good things are bound to happen ... It felt good to contribute again and be a part of the win."

• Goalie Louis Domingue made 31 saves to earn his first win since Jan. 7. Domingue stopped all 14 shots he faced in the third period to help the Coyotes rally from a 2-0 deficit after two periods.
• Because the Coyotes traded Martin Hanzal and Ryan White just a few hours before the game they were thin at forward. So, defenseman Kevin Connauton played right wing on the fourth line.
Connauton skated 7:48 and took one shot on goal.
• With the victory, the Coyotes ended a six-game home losing vs. Buffalo.
• Center Alexander Burmistrov missed the game because of an upper-body injury he suffered in Friday's game at Dallas. He is considered day-to-day.
• Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the NHL, dropped the ceremonial first puck as part of the Hockey Is For Everyone theme of the game.

• Center Brad Richardson led the stretch at Sunday's morning skate and then practiced with his teammates for the first time since fracturing multiple leg bones in a game played vs. Vancouver on Nov. 17.
"He got the green light for the first full practice today, so we'll see how it goes," Tippett said. "He's come a long way. He's right on schedule, which is good. You never know with those injuries. He's hoping to get back and play games this year. That's a positive thing."