February 20th, 2017

The Coyotes struck early and often in the 1st period on Monday, and then held on for a 3-2 win against the Ducks.  Arizona got three goals in the 1st period, capped off by Radim Vrbata’s 12th goal of the season.

After Jonathan Bernier gave up three goals on just six shots in that 1st period, he was replaced by Jonathan Gibson.  That stabilized things for Anaheim, as Gibson stopped all 14 shots he faced the rest of the way.

Ryan Getzlaf got the Ducks on the board midway through the 2nd period, after he re-directed a pass from Josh Manson past Mike Smith.  It was Getzlaf’s 10th goal of the season.

Getzlaf got his 2nd of the game with 26 seconds left in the 3rd period, but it was too little too late for Anaheim.  The Ducks had a couple of good chances in the final seconds, but Coyotes backup goaltender Marek Langhamer made the critical saves to preserve the win.  Langhamer was forced into action when Smith left the game after a collision in front of the net with just over 4 minutes left in the 3rd period.

The Coyotes also got 1st period goals from Christian Dvorak and Jakob Chychrun.  Mike Smith made 27 saves before leaving in the 3rd, while Langhamer stopped 7 of the 8 shots that he faced.

Arizona has won four of their last six games.  They also traded defenseman Michael Stone to Calgary on Monday.  He was replaced in the lineup by Connor Murphy.

Anaheim has just 4 wins in their last 10 games, but they’ll get to come home for a while.  The Ducks play Boston at home on Wednesday, and play four of the past five games at the Honda Center.