Mike Smith helped Coyotes to SO win over Sharks – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
For all the losing in Arizona and the emotional responses, Mike Smith has continued to be a solid goalie for the Coyotes and Saturday night he made 38 saves and stopped two shooters in the skills competition to help the Coyotes to a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks.
“Mike Smith plays well against them,” Arizona coach Dave Tippett said. “He’s really played well. I think that’s the biggest key, but it’s a rivalry game and they’re fun games to be involved in.”
Shane Doan and Ryan White scored in regulation for the Coyotes who improved to 17-28-6.
“We don’t like these guys, and we don’t like coming in here and getting bullied and getting calls we don’t think we should get,” White said. “You don’t play hard against this team it’s going to be a tough night. If you don’t take away their time and space they’re going to embarrass you.”
Arizona is 3-0-1 against the Sharks this season.
“They’re a young team with a lot of energy,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. “I think they probably felt if they could come in here and play a physical game they’d be able to compete. We did the same. We’re not going to get pushed out of a game. I think you got to make them pay on the power play and we didn’t tonight. That’s the story.”
Logan Couture and Brenden Dillon scored for the Sharks.
San Jose sits atop the Pacific Division with a three-point clearance over the Anaheim Ducks.
WATCH: All Coyotes vs. Sharks highlights
Martin Jones made 26 saves in taking the loss.
“They always play us tough. That was a fun game tonight. That was two teams playing really hard. It was an emotional game.” — Sharks goaltender Martin Jones
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