In Glendale Thursday, the Coyotes picked up a big 2-1 win over the Nashville Predators.
Darcy Kuemper made 45 saves to get the win; that was an NHL career-high for him.
“I was ready to go from the start. I wasn’t thinking about the last game,” Kuemper said. “Sometimes it’s nice seeing a lot of (shots), it’s easier to get in a rhythm. They had a lot of shots early, things were going well. I felt good, and the guys were doing a great job in front of me, boxing out and letting me see everything.”
The Coyotes improved to 9-8-1.
Michael Grabner scored a shorthanded goal, the Coyotes’ 10th of the season.
“He got a lucky bounce on the goal, but [Grabner] has been really good on the [penalty kill],” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. “There’s a psychology there. Some of the teams are trying some stuff when he’s on the ice, but you can tell they might not make a play because (of him).”
Jason Demers also scored for Arizona who had a 2-0 lead going into the third period.
The Predators lost their third straight and dropped to 13-5-1.
“There were a lot more chances, and it was just one of those nights,” Predators captain Roman Josi said. “It happens throughout a season, and we’ve got to keep doing the same things the next game.”
Nick Bonino scored in the third period to give the Preds some life.
“We knew they were going to make a push there (at the end),” Grabner said. “I think we’ve learned how to weather that a bit, play quality defense, tighten up and get the pucks out and make them go back for pucks.”
[WATCH: All Predators vs. Coyotes highlights]
Pekka Rinne made 21 saves in the loss.
Nashville was scoreless in five power play chances in the loss.
“We’ve got to score on the power play. We’re close, really close,” Bonino said. “We’re doing the right things but they’re just not going in.”
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