The Arizona Coyotes were on a three-game schneid when they entered their match with the Washington Capitals in DC Sunday night.
They had just enough in the tank after a Saturday game in Pittsburgh to defeat the Caps, 4-1.
Darcy Kuemper made 38 saves to get the win.
“I thought he was really solid,” Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said. “He looked really big in the net. They’ve got sharpshooters over there, so he withstood those guys. It was nice to see.”
Alex Galchenyuk and Richard Panik scored for the Coyotes and had two points each on the night.
“Big bounce-back game, big win for us,” Kuemper said. “We get back on track now, and that’s what we needed.”
Vinnie Hinostrozaand Derek Stepan (empty net) also scored for Arizona.
Arizona scored twice on the power play.
“Obviously, we’re struggling there and it’s something that we’ve got to be better at,” Niklas Backstrom said. “But overall this wasn’t our best effort. I feel like we can get better everywhere too. … Right now, if we keep playing like this, we’re not going to get any points.”
The Coyotes improved to 8-7-1.
Backstrom scored the lone goal for the Caps who dropped to 7-6-1.
“We know we have a target on our back every night as the defending champ [and] that teams are going to come in, regardless of their schedule, and give us their best effort,” Washington coach Todd Reirden said. “Our play was not good enough tonight.”
[WATCH: All Coyotes vs. Capitals highlights]
Braden Holtby‘s s
“Our play, the way it’s been, it’s been a little up and down. But I think it’s a good thing going on the road playing some good teams. Sometimes that helps, just go out and simplify and outwork the other teams. Don’t worry about impressing anyone or anything like that, just go out and grind out some wins, and that can do a lot for a group,” Holtby said as the Caps hit the road this week.
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