The Arizona Coyotes defeated the Nashville Predators 4-2 at Bridgestone Arena on Monday night. It was the first road win for the Coyotes since their 4-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 23.
The first period saw no scoring until Nick Schmaltz got the icebreaker for Arizona late in the frame. Schmaltz hammered the puck on a one-timer that Nashville goaltender Kevin Lankinen had no chance of saving.
The start of the second period was not a good one for the Coyotes, as they gave up two goals in the first half of the period. Predators captain Roman Josi scored on the power play with a one-timer of his own to tie the game, then Colton Sissons gave Nashville a 2-1 lead a few minutes later.
Despite Nashville gaining all of the momentum, Arizona had an answer in the form of Lawson Crouse. Crouse scored a power play goal to level the game at two. With the momentum shifting back-and-forth, the team that would own the third period would almost certainly win the game.
That team would be the Coyotes. Crouse found the back of the net once again to give his team the lead, and he was set up by an excellent turnaround pass from Matias Maccelli. That goal would prove to be the game-winner, as Christian Fischer would score on an empty net in the last minute to reach the final score.
The victory puts the Coyotes back in the win column following overtime losses to the Blackhawks and Blues. Arizona also got the win despite being outshot 31-19, losing the faceoff battle 34-15 and having 10 penalty minutes as opposed to Nashville’s two.
The Coyotes will return to Mullett Arena in Tempe to square off against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night. The Predators will remain at home where they will take on the league-leading Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Crouse scores twice as Coyotes defeat Predators 4-2
