The Arizona Coyotes’ push to the playoffs took a major detour on Monday night when they fell, 4-1, to the Lightning in Tampa.
It was not an easy win for the Bolts. Victor Hedman scored what would be the game-winner with less than a minute gone in the third period after both teams exchanged goals in the first period.
Steven Stamkos set franchise record for goals in win over Coyotes – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Two empty net goals sealed it for the Lightning.
The win secured the the President’s Trophy for Tampa.
“Trophies are hard to win, they truly are,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “And I think when you win one you should be [darn] proud of it.
“I know when you think of the National Hockey League and you see it every June that the Stanley Cup is raised over someone’s head. But there are 82 games played before you get to that point and I know there’s a lot of teams in this League that have not won that trophy.”
Steve Stamkos scored in the first period.
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves to get the win.
The Lightning improved to a gaudy 56-13-4.
Clayton Keller scored to give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead in the first period.
“We had some good looks,” Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson said. “They didn’t really have much in the first or the second period. I can’t forget that we’re playing against one of the best teams in the League and we matched them really really good tonight. So I’m proud of the guys.”
Anthony Cirelli and Yanni Gourde scored the empty-net goals to ensre the win and silverware.
[WATCH: All Coyotes vs. Lightning highlights]
Darcy Kuemper made 20 saves in the loss.
“This is probably the most proud I’ve been of the team all year. Just the travel and coming here and the way we played. I thought we were very good tonight,” Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said after the close loss.
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