For twenty minutes Friday night, the Arizona Coyotes made it look easy. But then they had 40 more minutes to defend a four-goal lead built in the first period en route to a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Brendan Perlini scored two goals and Peter Holland and Jamie McGinn each had a goal
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson had three assists in Yotes’ win – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
in the first period in Glendale.
“I can’t remember the last time we did that, but we have guys that are capable,” Ekman-Larsson said. “Now that we know we can do it, we’ll have the confidence to keep doing it.”
Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata each had three assists on the night.
“We were a tired team before the break, but that refreshed everybody and we were excited to play again,” Vrbata said. “We had a great first period. In the end it was barely enough, but we’ll take it.”
Mike Smith made 34 saves for the win.
The Jets did not go quietly after the opening period but were certainly behind the count for the entire night.
“Can we get better performances individually out of people? Yeah,” Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said. “But they didn’t quit. They kept competing and fighting to the very end and that means a lot right now.”
The Jets’ goal scorers were Shawn Matthias, Mark Stuart and Blake Wheeler.
The Jets had a 1-0 lead before the Coyotes responded; Perlini made it 2-1 in favor of the Coyotes with his goal.
“Going down to Tucson (Coyotes’ AHL affiliate Roadrunners) was a great confidence boost, and I was trying to play the same style up here as I did down there,” Perlini said. “We gave up a quick one that kind of woke us up a little bit.”
WATCH: All Jets vs. Coyotes highlights
As has become all too easy this season across the NHL, the Jets pulled their starting goalie; Connor Hellebuyck yielded three goals on just six shots and was given the hook.
Michael Hutchinson came into the game in relief and made 22 in the Jets loss.
The loss was ugly for the Jets and Wheeler was not pleased talking to reporters after the game. He was asked about a players’ meeting following the loss.
“What do you think? Do you think we were just silent in here with the door shut? Obviously, there was a conversation had between us. Obviously, I’m not going to give you anything that was said in this room,” Wheeler snapped.
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