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Coyotes Preyed on the Predators in Goal-filled, 7-5 Victory

© George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports

A game engulfed by goals and multiple lead changes concluded with the Arizona Coyotes (7-6-1) grabbing a 7-5 victory over the Nashville Predators (5-9) at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 11.

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Coming into the game, Arizona fell to the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on Nov. 9 after taking seven penalties in the first two periods.

Moreover, the Coyotes only had 20 shots in the game as the defense was the story, but the offense couldn’t get going.

On the other hand, the Predators returned to “Smashville” after going on a five-game roadtrip.

Before tonight, Nashville lost their last two games, including a 6-3 defeat to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

With both teams trying to scratch their way back to winning ways, this momentum-changing tilt had turnovers, defensive miscues and plenty of penalties.

As a result, however, offensive firepower filled the matchup.

First Period

Right off the hop, Nashville came out aggressive.

As the puck was bouncing everywhere, Predators defenseman Alexandre Carrier missed a wide-open net.

Then, two defensive breakdowns cost the Coyotes soon after.

Following an opportunity by Arizona, the Predators broke the puck out and had a 3-on-1 opportunity after ‘Yotes defenseman Troy Stecher tried to attack, but wasn’t back in time.

Soon, Nashville right wing Luke Evangelista sent teammate Griffin Sherwood on a breakaway.

Quickly, Sherwood sent a wrist-shot past the blocker of Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram for a 1-0 lead in favor of the Predators 5:12 into the first-20 minutes.

Moments later, Arizona center Barrett Hayton looked like he was going to clear the puck out of the defensive zone.

But, Nashville left wing Gustav Nyquist stripped Hayton of the puck and sent a slow, backhanded shot towards Ingram.

However, Predators forward Filip Forsberg tipped the puck through the legs of Ingram to make it 2-0 7:11 in.

With being down two early, a flip switched and Arizona gained momentum.

From an awkward angle, Coyotes left wing Michael Carcone fired a shot from the right side of the boards.

Surprisingly, Carcone found just enough room to beat Predators goaltender Juuse Saros to minimize the deficit to 2-1 with 10:02 remaining in the first frame.

Concluding his time in the penalty box for an interference penalty, Stecher bolted straight out towards a loose puck and went in on a breakaway before he slid it behind Saros to tie the game 2-2 with 5:57 on the clock.

Clawing their way back, Nashville interrupted the Coyotes groove as defenseman Dante Fabbro and Roman Josi linked up for a one-timer to put the Predators back on-top, 3-2 with 3:02 left.

Second Period

Tonight, Predators center Ryan O’Reilly played in game 1,000 of his NHL career.

Adding to his special night, O’Reilly scored on the power-play to give Nashville a 4-2 advantage 3:28 into the middle period.

Trying to respond, Coyotes center Logan Cooley sped with the puck on the left.

Looking around, Cooley saw teammate Clayton Keller open and whipped the puck to him.

There, Keller cut at the right face-off dot and fired it to the top right corner to lessen the deficit to 4-3.

Additionally, a wild scrum in front ensued of the Predators goal as ‘Yotes forward Travis Boyd flung the puck on net.

However, it ended with Arizona center Alex Kerfoot who banged home the puck, after multiple whacks at it, to get his first as a Coyote and tie the game 4-4 with 7:32 remaining in the second frame.

As the period was waning down, Carcone would get on the scoresheet again.

With just 0:53 left, Carcone bursted into the Nashville zone wiring wired a snapshot through a screen towards the bottom-left corner of the net to give Arizona their first lead of the hockey game, 5-4.

After being 4-2 down, the Coyotes turned the game around despite the Predators leading 28-17 in shots.

Third Period

When compared to the first-two periods, the offensive onslaught quieted down as a defensive gridlock took over.

Still, Ingram continued to stop shot after shot following giving up three goals early on.

Towards the end of the game, goals returned.

To tie the contest, Nyqvist powered a shot towards Ingram, but Forsberg deflected the puck past the Coyotes goaltender and in to knot the game at 5-5 with 5:48 left in regulation.

Once again, Arizona would get another lead, but would keep it.

Occurring after Nashville center Tommy Novak was handed a delay-of-game penalty, Coyotes defenseman Sean Durzi wound-up for a slap-shot.

With ‘Yotes center Barrett Hayton planted in front of Saros, Saros didn’t see Durzi shooting until the puck went behind him and Arizona went up 6-5 with 3:27 remaining in the third period.

Sealing the game, Arizona forward Nick Bjugstad would add an empty-netter as the Coyotes went on to win 7-5.

Postgame Notes

In the end, there were 11 different point-getters on the ‘Yotes.

Leading the way, Cooley had 3 assists while Carcone scored twice for the Coyotes.

Furthermore, Cooley would tie Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard for most points as an NHL rookie with 11.

Forsberg recorded 2 goals and an assist for the Predators.

Despite the 7-5 score, Arizona were outshot 41-25 by Nashville.

In goal, Ingram stopped 36 of 41 shots while Saros made 18 saves on 24 attempts.

On the power-play, the Predators went 1-for-4 and the ‘Yotes were 2-for-4.

Moving forward, the ‘Yotes head to Dallas as they go to war with the Stars at American Airlines Center on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.

Arizona Coyotes at Nashville Predators Preview

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Alec Cipollini is the lead reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini

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