Once again, the Arizona Coyotes were able to shutout and shutdown another opponent, this time beating the Buffalo Sabres 2-0.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This was second time in six days where Buffalo and Arizona played against each other, with the Sabres’ offensive firepower and lockdown defense manhandling the Coyotes in a 5-2 win.
Unlike Arizona having a slow start then, both teams had their fair share of chances to score as it was free flowing hockey from end to end.
Coyotes left wing Liam O’Brien and Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt both came close in the first period, but both goaltenders Karel Vejmelka and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen saved everything in their crease’s vicinity.
Following the first intermission, Buffalo came out flying in the middle frame as they controlled the majority of puck possession, outshooting Arizona 10-4.
But after Connor Ingram saving all 21 shots in a 1-0 ‘Yotes victory over the San Jose Sharks last night, Vejmelka followed in Ingram’s footsteps by denying everything he saw.
Sabres forward Tage Thompson had a breakaway denied by the ‘Yotes goalie before right wing Alex Tuch looked up to the rafters as Vejmelka dived to make a rebound save.
Disrupting their momentum, Coyotes left wing Clayton Keller was the beneficiary of a monumental mistake made by Luukkonen.
Noticing that the puck was going behind the Sabres net, Luukkonen nonchalantly skated to play it, leaving an empty goal. Then, Arizona center Alex Kerfoot skated behind Luukkonen and forced the Sabres netminder to whiff on a pass. With the puck slowly rolling, Kerfoot set up Keller in front for a tap-in, punishing a sprawling Luukkonen for a 1-0 Coyotes lead with 4:48 left.
Oops, don't let Kerfy sneak up on ya! https://t.co/QVyTaB7EXa pic.twitter.com/w9QW6l2fqT
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) December 17, 2023
Being denied earlier, O’Brien forced his way onto a breakaway, sent a backhanded shot off the crossbar and in to make it 2-0.
OB's flow in this >> https://t.co/tTYVmwsgGn pic.twitter.com/jKhzB4dPNJ
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) December 17, 2023
O’Brien’s goal did not stop Buffalo as defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and rookie Zach Benson were both denied by Vejemlka.
For a second-straight night, the Coyotes goaltending was the story again as Vejmelka made 28 saves.
Additionally, this was the first time since 2019 where Arizona recorded consecutive shutouts. Former Coyotes Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta were the last ones to do it on Nov. 16 and 18 that year.
Improving to 15-13-2 and recording 32 points, the Coyotes will remain in fifth place in the Central Division going into their game against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 19.
Meanwhile, Buffalo drop to 13-16-3 as they will return to New York and face the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday.
Two disallowed goals preserve Coyotes controversial 1-0 victory over Sharks
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Alec Cipollini is a reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
