Coyotes hold off Ducks for 3-2 win

In Glendale Monday night, the Arizona Coyotes built a 3-0 lead and then had to hang on for a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Christian Dvorak, Jakob Chychrun and Radim Vrbata all scored in the first period to give the Coyotes the big lead.

“It seemed like we were kind of in lull and they skated us into the ground. We weren’t moving our feet and they capitalized,” Anaheim’s Josh Manson said of the lack of first period effort by the Ducks.

Marek Langhamer took over the Arizona net after starter Mike Smith left the game with under five minutes gone in the third period.

Smith left under the NHL’s concussion protocol.

Langhamer made seven saves in relief including a last second shot form the Ducks’ Sami Vatanen.

“The puck dropped right in front of me and (Anaheim forward) Corey Perry made a great play to put it backdoor, and I was just trying to rush to the back post,” Langhamer said. “I got there and was fortunate enough to make the save.”

Ryan Getzlaf scored both Anaheim goals twice as the Ducks fell to 31-20-10 and are on a bit of a skid winning just three of their last nine games.

“They were playing a back-to-back and we wanted to make sure to try and jump on them early,” Dvorak said. “We didn’t play well (in a 4-1 loss against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday) and we wanted to make sure we put a good effort in tonight.”

WATCH: All Ducks vs. Coyotes highlights

Jonathan Bernier started for the Ducks but yie4lded three goals on just six shots.  He did not return to the game after the fist period.  John Gibson finished the match with 14 saves and no goals against.

As for Smith, the Coyotes were not overly concerned after the game.

“He got bumped (by Anaheim forward Jakob Silfverberg a few minutes earlier), and our trainer said the concussion spotter said Mike had to come out,” Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett said. “Mike didn’t want to come out, but that’s what was going to be done. Marek jumped in there for the first time and did a very good job.”

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