Guenther Notches First 3-Point Game, Coyotes Top Capitals on Sunday

STATS

WASHINGTON -- Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley are starting to develop a friendship off the ice.

That chemistry has become very evident on it, as well.

Cooley and Guenther both scored, Jason Zucker, Michael Kesselring, and Nick Schmaltz added goals, and Karel Vejmelka made 24 saves as the Arizona Coyotes beat the Washington Capitals 5-2 at Capital One Arena on Sunday.

Arizona earned five of a possible 10 points on its five-game road trip, closing it out with two consecutive wins.

"The first three games we played really well, but we only got one point," head coach André Tourigny said. "I don't think we played as good the last two, but we found a way to win. As weird as it sounds, our guys are in a pretty good zone."

Sonny Milano and Anthony Mantha scored for the Capitals, who lost for the second time in three games, while Charlie Lindgren made 23 saves. Arizona won both games against Washington this season, outscoring the Caps 11-2 in the process.

Guenther recorded his first career three-point NHL game, and has two goals and three assists in his last two games. The 20-year-old forward has 17 points in 24 games since getting called up from the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners in January, and has been a key part of the Coyotes' offense since his arrival.

He and the 19-year-old Cooley have clicked since they started playing together on a line along with veteran Jason Zucker, and all three scored on Sunday.

"We're great friends off the ice, and that helps a lot," Guenther said of his relationship with Cooley. "I think our games compliment each other well and it's a lot of fun playing with him."

Tourigny agreed.

"They see each other and they're excited about each other," he said. "I think Zucks is a good veteran presence with them."

The Coyotes never trailed on Sunday, grabbing a 1-0 lead after Cooley opened the scoring at 7:33 of the first period. He took a stretch pass from -- who else -- Guenther, and ultimately wristed a shot bar-down on the ensuing breakaway.

It was Cooley's 10th goal of the season and it gave the Coyotes the coveted early lead.

"I heard him calling and I looked right away," Guenther said. "I think him and Zucker were both gone. Nice recognition by them, and it was a nice finish."

Zucker made it 2-0 4:06 into the second period, finishing off a tic-tac-goal by tapping a pass from Guenther into an open net. The play was initiated by Macceli on the boards after he dug the puck out to Schmaltz, who earned the secondary assist.

Milano made it 2-1 with a power-play goal at 6:02 of the middle frame, redirecting Alex Ovechkin’s backdoor pass past Vejmelka from in close. Kesselring restored the Coyotes’ two-goal cushion 43 seconds later, though, wristing a shot from the top of the right circle to the far post, past Lindgren.

Guenther gave Arizona a three-goal lead with just 1:59 remaining in the second after his centering pass on the power play redirected off John Carlson and found its way into the net.

"I'm just beneficiary of trying to do the little things right, winning my battles and the stuff that I need to improve on," Guenther said. "My linemates finished some nice plays there, so I think just keep trying to do the little things, and the other stuff takes care of itself."

Vejmelka sparkled for the second consecutive game as well, making critical saves early and often, including a jaw-dropping kick save in the first period, and another stunning glove save with time running out in the second.

"He was our first star in the game," Tourigny said. "He made saves at key moments, and key saves, huge saves. He saved shots that should have been goals, and he made a huge difference."

Mantha made it 4-2 with a power-play goal just 10 seconds into the third period, one-timing a shot past Vejmelka for his 20th of the season, but Schmaltz iced the game with an empty-net goal at 19:39.

"We've been playing really well the last two weeks, and let's just keep this thing going," Guenther said. "We have some confidence right now, so let's roll with it."

The Coyotes return home to open a three-game homestand on Tuesday, beginning against the Chicago Blackhawks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm MST, and the game will be broadcast on Arizona 61 (TV) and ESPN 620 (Radio).