Coyotes rally past in Panthers in shootout, win fourth straight

GLENDALE, Ariz. --Derek Stepan scored two goals, and the Arizona Coyotes won their fourth straight game with a 4-3 shootout victory against the Florida Panthers at Gila River Arena on Tuesday.

Stepan tied it 3-3 with a shorthanded goal at 13:31 of the third period after he toe dragged around Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle and scored under the crossbar from the slot. It was Arizona's 13th shorthanded goal this season, the second most in the NHL (Calgary Flames, 16).
Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored, and Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves for the Coyotes (30-28-5), who are 7-2-0 in their past nine games and trail the Dallas Stars by two points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
WATCH: [All Panthers vs. Coyotes highlights]
"We haven't been to the playoffs for a long time (2012)," Ekman-Larsson said. "We just keep finding ways and keep battling, and everybody believes we can do it. It's a great feeling in the room right now."
Aleksander Barkov, Jamie McGinn and Mike Hoffman scored, and Troy Brouwer had two assists for the Panthers (28-25-9), who lost for the second time in seven games (5-1-1) and trail the Pittsburgh Penguins by nine points for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

James Reimer, who made 10 saves, left 32 seconds into the second period with a lower-body injury. He was replaced by Roberto Luongo, who made 27 saves.
"It was a gutsy effort coming back again (after a 4-3 overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday), and when it's overtime and a shootout it's anybody's game," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. "I can't say enough about the guys battling and competing and finding a way to get a point."
McGinn tied it 2-2 at 5:46 of the third period, redirecting Brouwer's shot at the right post. Barkov gave Florida a 3-2 lead at 8:15, converting on a 2-on-1 with Brouwer seven seconds after the Panthers killed a penalty.
"We were scrambling, trying to finish off the rest of that kill, and [Barkov] made a great play and we were able to go on a 2-on-1," Brouwer said. "We were in good position defensively, giving ourselves a chance to make a break."
Stepan put the Coyotes ahead 1-0 at 8:15 of the second period, but Hoffman tied it at 1-1 at 14:44 on a one-timer from the left circle.

Ekman-Larsson scored to make it 2-1 at 19:15 with a redirection of Clayton Keller's initial shot on the power play.
"It was back and forth all night and you could see on the bench we picked it up," Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. "It's been that way all year. When we're down, we're embracing those moments."
Nick Cousins, Alex Galchenyuk and Vinnie Hinostroza scored in the shootout for Arizona. Luongo has allowed a goal on all six shots he's faced in a shootout this season.
"We've shown all year we don't quit and we showed that again," said Coyotes forward Christian Dvorak, who was making his season debut after missing the first 62 games because of an upper-body injury. "It was kind of a rollercoaster of a game, especially in the third and overtime, but we persevered."
Yandle played in his 777th consecutive game, moving past Craig Ramsay for fifth longest in NHL history. Doug Jarvis holds the record at 964 games.

They said it

"We knew after 40 (minutes) we hadn't played our best hockey and we didn't dwell on it. We did a good job of putting our work boots on and having a good third (period) and battling back and getting a point." -- Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle
"Last year, we weren't even around it (the playoff race). So to be around it now, it's so much fun. The games ramp up and the importance of every little play is magnified. It's a great time of the year and we're enjoying it." -- Coyotes forward Derek Stepan

Need to know

Defenseman Riley Stillman, who is the son of former NHL forward Cory Stillman, made his NHL debut for the Panthers after MacKenzie Weegar was ruled out with a lower-body injury. … Barkov has seven goals in his past six games. … Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau had an assist and has nine points (four goals, five assists) in his past six games. … Ekman-Larsson's goal was his first in 11 games.

What's next

Panthers:At the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, ATTSN-RM, FS-F, NHL.TV)
Coyotes:Host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; FS-A, SNP, NHL.TV)