A three-goal first period helped the Arizona Coyotes defeat the Ottawa Senators, 5-1, in Glendale.
Alex Galchenyuk, Brad Richardson and Derek Stepan staked the Coyotes to the first period lead.
Antti Raanta made 25 saves for the Coyotes.
Arizona improved to 6-5-0.
“I didn’t feel panic in the guys, the goaltenders were playing great, we just weren’t scoring (early in the season),” coach Rick Tocchet said. “Guys stuck with it and practiced hard, and the goals started to come. We’ve got a good mojo going now, and we don’t want to wreck it.”
Richard Panik and Oliver Ekman-Larsson also scored for the Coyotes.
“It’s not fun to be out of the playoffs like we were last year in October,” said captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who scored his first goal of the season, on the power play, to make it 5-1 at 10:25 of the third period. “It means a lot to us to get a good start and feel like we have a chance to beat every team in the League. We’re playing good and building our game.”
Alex Formenton scored the lone goal for the Senators.
[WATCH: All Senators vs. Coyotes highlights]
Mike Condon got the start for the Senators but was pulled after Stepan’s goal from the Arizona blue line eluded him.
“Tough start by us, and we couldn’t find a way to claw back in the game,” forward Chris Tierney said. “We’ve got to come for a full 60 (minutes). We’ve played in spurts for 10 minutes, but you’re not going to win in the League if you don’t play for a full 60.”
Craig Anderson made 22 saves after Condon was given the hook.
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