Nick Schmaltz scored his first career hat trick, leading the Arizona Coyotes to a 5-0 shutout victory against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night. It was a bounce back win for Arizona after it lost to the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Tuesday.
The first period saw what originally looked like a goal for Justin Faulk of the Blues get disallowed due to goaltender interference. While a puck had gone past Coyotes netminder Karel Vejmelka, the score was two donut holes after twenty minutes.
Nick Schmaltz broke the scoreless tie just over the halfway point of the second frame, finishing off a nice feed from Lawson Crouse. Crouse was playing in his first game since suffering an upper body injury against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 17.
Schmaltz struck again a few minutes later, scoring off a Blues turnover to make it a 2-0 game. It remained a 2-0 score throughout the second period, but the Coyotes were just getting started.
The third period saw Schmaltz complete his first career hat trick in an odd way. Blues center Brayden Schenn had pushed the net off its moorings while Schmaltz was shooting the puck, making it a good goal. Hats flew onto the ice at Mullett Arena, and there was still more excitement to come for Coyotes fans.
Travis Boyd scored to make it 4-0, then Barrett Hayton deposited the fifth to reach the final score. Blues goaltender Thomas Greiss had a night to forget, allowing five goals on 25 shots as the Blues suffered their third straight loss. On the other end of the rink, Karel Vejmelka had a superb showing in net, stopping all 33 St. Louis shots en route to his third shutout of the season.
The Blues will look to snap their three game skid on the road against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon. The Coyotes will travel to Anaheim to take on the Ducks on Saturday night.
Schmaltz scores hat trick as Coyotes dominate Blues 5-0
