The Arizona Coyotes found the missing piece they needed after two close games to open the season: a win.
Conor Garland scored twice, while Nick Schmaltz and Niklas Hjalmarsson added a goal, helping the Coyotes secure a 4-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night. The win marked Arizona’s first of the season.
Darcy Kuemper made 36 saves in his third consecutive start as the Coyotes (1-2-0) snapped a scoring drought, having managed just one goal in their first two games. Newly acquired center Carl Soderberg, who came over from Colorado in an offseason trade, contributed two assists.
Shea Theodore scored the lone goal for the Golden Knights, who have now dropped two straight after starting the season with two wins. It was also Vegas’ first loss in Arizona after winning the first four meetings at Gila River Arena.
Arizona rookie Barrett Hayton, the fifth overall pick in the 2018 draft, made his NHL debut and assisted on Schmaltz’s goal late in the first period. The 19-year-old showcased his strength, holding off a defender while setting up Christian Dvorak for the primary assist. Schmaltz then scored with just 39 seconds left in the period.
“It’s something you dream of for a long time,” Hayton said. “It was a good game overall, and I played longer than I expected.”
Garland scored Arizona’s first goal, backhanding the puck off Vegas defenseman Nicolas Hague’s skate eight minutes into the first period. It was the Coyotes’ first goal since their season opener on October 3.
“We always try to play the same way, but if the pucks are going in, it makes us a more dangerous team,” Garland said.
Theodore responded for the Golden Knights with a goal in the final seconds of the first period. His shot slipped past Kuemper, who Max Pacioretty screened. Arizona challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal was upheld.
Garland scored again on a solo rush after a penalty kill, beating Vegas goalie Malcolm Subban with a backhand to give the Coyotes a 3-1 lead. Subban, who made 12 saves, was replaced by Marc-Andre Fleury at the start of the second period.
“We were nowhere near good enough tonight,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. “We lost the game in the first period. We have to be better.”
Hjalmarsson sealed the win with his first goal of the season, a long slap shot that got past Fleury off a faceoff late in the second period. Fleury made 13 saves in relief, but Vegas struggled, going 0 for 4 on power plays.
Despite their offensive struggles, Arizona has only allowed four goals through their first three games, the second-fewest in the NHL.
“Nobody panicked after two games,” said Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet. “We liked how we played, and the guys worked hard in practice.”
Game Notes:
- Coyotes forward Lawson Crouse missed the game with an upper-body injury, while defenseman Kyle Capobianco was scratched and has yet to make his season debut.
- Goalie Antti Raanta, out since November 2018 with a long-term lower-body injury, is expected to make his season debut on Saturday in Colorado.
- Phil Kessel played his 777th consecutive game, placing him seventh on the NHL’s all-time list.
- Jimmy Schuldt and Nicolas Roy were scratched for Vegas and have not yet played this season.
UP NEXT:
- Vegas: Hosts Calgary on Saturday.
- Arizona: Plays at Colorado on Saturday.