Coyotes 4, Ducks 2
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Following a disastrous 56-point season, the Arizona Coyotes set a simple goal of competing for a playoff spot in 2015-16. If the Coyotes continue to dominate their Pacific Division rivals the way they have through the first two months of the season, that goal will remain within reach.
Center Antoine Vermette scored his first goal of the season, right winger Anthony Duclair scored his eighth of the season and goalie Mike Smith made 29 saves as the Coyotes defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 on Wednesday at Gila River Arena.
With the win, Arizona improved to 6-1 against Pacific Division teams this season and 3-0 against the Ducks, whom the Coyotes defeated twice in Anaheim earlier this season.
Defenseman Michael Stone gave the Coyotes a 1-0 lead with a hard shot from the point that slipped through center Boyd Gordon's screen and past Ducks goalie John Gibson at 3:14 of the first period. Left winger Kyle Chipchura did the heavy work, winning a puck battle down low to get the puck out to Stone.
Arizona widened the lead to 2-0 on Vermette's goal. Vermette collected the rebound of right winger Mikkel Boedker's initial shot outside the crease, whirled and beat Gibson to record his first goal since Feb. 14 last season against the Rangers. The goal came on the power play, giving Arizona its fifth power-play goal in its last four games (13 chances).
Ducks center Ryan Kesler gave Anaheim brief hope when he pulled his team within 2-1 early in the third period. Kesler set up in front of Smith and redirected defenseman Sami Vatanen's shot from the point past Smith just 38 seconds into the final period.
Duck hunter, Duclair, responded just 1:19 later for a 3-1 lead. Left winger Max Domi chased down Anaheim center Mike Santorelli and stole a pass from left winger Patrick Maroon. Domi fed Duclair in front of the net and the rookie deked Gibson to the ice before sliding the puck into the open side of the net. It was Duclair's fifth goal in three games against the Ducks this season.
Vatanen scored his fifth goal of the season on the power midway through the third period to pull Anaheim within 3-2. Vatanen got around Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek on the left wing and cut to the net, beating Smith to the glove side.
Vermette added an empty-netter to seal it for Arizona.
NOTES: Coyotes RW Shane Doan missed the game with a lower body injury. AHL call-up Dustin Jeffrey was inserted into the lineup in his place. Doan battled through a groin injury earlier this season that took him out of training camp. ... Coyotes D Nicklas Grossmann returned to the lineup after a seven-game absence because of a lower-body injury suffered Nov. 7 against the New York Rangers. ... Coyotes G Mike Smith returned after a one-game absence with a lower abdomen injury. ... Ducks G Frederik Andersen came down with flu-like symptoms after practicing Monday and did not make the trip. ... C Nate Thompson (shoulder), C Jiri Sekac (sprained ankle) and LW Simon Despres (concussion) missed the game. Thompson has resumed skating with the club.