Recap: Coyotes Clip Wings, Stretch Win Streak to Six Games

GLENDALE --The Coyotes stretched their winning streak to a season-high six games on Saturday night by beating the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, at Gila River Arena.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Vinnie Hinostroza each produced a goal and an assist, and Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves.
Arizona never trailed in the game and out-shot Detroit 44-23.
"I thought we did really well defending, and in the third period (Kuemper) was there for us," Head Coach Rick Tocchet said. "That's kind of been the recipe and hopefully we can continue to do this."

Josh Archibald gave the Coyotes a 1-0 lead when he beat Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard with a slap shot from the top of the right circle at 5:58 of the first period. The goal was Archibald's 10th of the season, giving Arizona 10 skaters with at least 10 goals.
"This time of the year, it's all about getting points," Ekman-Larsson said. "We have so many guys playing good hockey right now, making plays. Early on in the season, we didn't have that. It's a great feeling."

Ekman-Larsson upped Arizona's lead to 2-0 when he scored off Howard's right shoulder with a shot from the left circle with 4:20 to play in the first period. Hinostroza set up the goal with a nice drop pass across the slot.
Dylan Larkin pulled the Red Wings to within 2-1 when he scored a power-play goal at 7:35 of the second period, but Hinostroza put Arizona back up by two when he backhanded a loose puck into Detroit's net early in the third period. Officials reviewed the goal because the arena goal horn blared prematurely before Hinostroza scored and determined it was scored legally.
"We're just kind of going out every night and doing our business," Kuemper said. "Games stay pretty level - no peaks and valleys, as cliche as that is. But that's kind of the recipe for consistency and that's why we're having a lot of success here."

• With the win, Arizona briefly captured the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference standings. About 90 minutes after the game, the Minnesota Wild completed a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames and jumped over the Coyotes in standings. So, idle until Tuesday, Arizona sits ninth in the standings, one point behind the Wild.
"I don't like to look at the standings," Hinostroza said. "I like to just keep going. I know where we're at. We're in a tight battle here. The more we think about what other teams are doing, the less we're focused on ourselves. So, I think it's important for us to just keep this thing going and hopefully be there at the end."
• The Coyotes have won six games in a row for the first time since they accomplished that feat in February of the 2011-12 season. They've allowed just 11 goals in the streak by playing stifling defense.
"I think that's why we're successful right?" Ekman-Larsson said. "Kuemper's playing unbelievable behind us and we believe and we trust in him. So, it's pretty easy to play in front of him."

• Kuemper has won seven games in a row and is 15-3-3 since New Year's Day.
"Since he took the (starter's) role, he's been a different guy in the sense that he knows that it's (his) net," Tocchet said. "For eight years, he's been the backup so, you play, you don't play, you don't know if you're playing. (Now) he knows nine out of 10 games, he's going to play. He's taken it to a different level. He's done a really nice job for us."

• Ekman-Larsson skated in his 640th game, tying Keith Tkachuk for sixth place on the franchise list for games played. He left the game briefly after colliding with Detroit's Michael Rasmussen at center ice midway through the second period.
"I kind of stuck my leg out a little bit and got caught with their guy, and got scared for a little bit, but it's all good," Ekman-Larsson said.
• The Coyotes played minus center Derek Stepan for the first time since he suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's game vs. Vancouver. Stepan is expected to miss the rest of the regular season.
• Stats that jump off the Event Summary: Jordan Oesterle blocked four shots, and Conor Garland took six shots on goal and won all five face-offs he contested.
• Antoine Vermette, who played 291 games for the Coyotes from 2011-16, dropped the ceremonial first puck.