The Arizona Coyotes were unable to build on their first win of the season Tuesday night and fell to the Red Wings in Detroit, 5-3.
Within the first few minutes of the game, the Coyotes were down 2-0 and never able to recover.
“This was a huge lesson for us,” Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said. “We dipped our toe in the water instead of diving in. We can’t afford to ease into games.”
After a six-game skid of their own, the Red Wings were able to win their second straight.
“This was a critical win,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “You don’t want to call it a must win, but the schedule really sets up for you when you are at home and playing a team that got in late after playing last night.”
Gustav Nyquiststarted the Detroit offense giving the home side a 1-0 lead when he beat newcomer Scott Wedgewood in the Arizona goal.
“I wanted that one back,” Wedgewood said. “I thought I had it lined up, even with the traffic, but it knuckled and dropped at the last second.”
Before the third minute of the game was elapsed Luke Glendening scored to give the Red Wings a 2-0 lead.
“Scott kept us in the game with some huge saves in the first,” Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson said standing up for his beleaguered goalie. “We weren’t ready to play, but he gave us a chance.”
Anthony Mantha, Dylan Larkin and Darren Helm also scored for Detroit.
“That’s a big part of hockey. We got off to a good start and gave ourselves a cushion that we needed at the end,” Larkin said.
Arizona’s goals came from Jason Demers, Nick Cousins and Clayton Keller.
Jimmy Howard made 30 saves to get the Red Wings to 6-6-1 on the season.
[WATCH: All Coyotes vs. Red Wings highlights]
Scott Wedgewood made 33 saves in taking the loss; Arizona dropped to 1-11-1.
“We weren’t ready to play and they jumped on us. It was 2-0 after the first, but without [Wedgewood], it could have been 4-0 or 5-0,” Arizona’s Derek Stepan said after the loss.
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