Kuemper makes 45 saves, Coyotes hold off Predators

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Darcy Kuemper made an NHL career-high 45 saves for the Arizona Coyotes in a 2-1 win against the Nashville Predators at Gila River Arena on Thursday.

"I was ready to go from the start. I wasn't thinking about the last game (6-1 loss to Detroit Red Wings)," Kuemper said. "Sometimes it's nice seeing a lot of (shots), it's easier to get in a rhythm. They had a lot of shots early, things were going well. I felt good, and the guys were doing a great job in front of me, boxing out and letting me see everything."
Michael Grabner and Jason Demers scored for Arizona (9-8-1), which has won two of its past three games.
WATCH: [All Predators vs. Coyotes highlights]
Nick Bonino scored his first goal of the season, and Pekka Rinne made 21 saves for Nashville (13-5-1), which lost its third in a row on the road (0-2-1) after starting the season 8-0-0 away from home.
"There were a lot more chances, and it was just one of those nights," Predators captain Roman Josi said. "It happens throughout a season, and we've got to keep doing the same things the next game."

Grabner scored his fifth goal of the season, fourth shorthanded, on a soft wrist shot from the left point that beat Rinne five-hole at 7:16 of the first period to give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead. He is the 17th player in NHL history to score at least four shorthanded goals through his team's first 18 games.
"He got a lucky bounce on the goal, but [Grabner] has been really good on the [penalty kill]," Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. "There's a psychology there. Some of the teams are trying some stuff when he's on the ice, but you can tell they might not make a play because (of him)."
Arizona leads the NHL with 10 shorthanded goals, which is tied with the 1975-76 St. Louis Blues for the third most by a team through 18 games since 1933-34. The 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers and 1988-89 Edmonton Oilers each had 11.
Demers took a pass from Christian Fischer and scored on a wrist shot from the right face-off circle to make it 2-0 at 4:09 of the second period. It was Demers' first goal since March 5.

Bonino cut it to 2-1 at 12:09 of the third period with a wrist shot from the left circle that went in off the right post. It was his first goal since March 31.
"We knew they were going to make a push there (at the end)," Grabner said. "I think we've learned how to weather that a bit, play quality defense, tighten up and get the pucks out and make them go back for pucks."
The Predators, who are last in the NHL on the power play at 10.8 percent, went 0-for-5 with the man-advantage.
"We've got to score on the power play. We're close, really close," Bonino said. "We're doing the right things but they're just not going in."

They said it

"I thought it was good. There's probably 15, 16 shots on net, 11 or 12 quality scoring chances. I know it's not dropping right now, so we'll continue to look at it, work at it, and one of these days, one of them is going to do something." -- Predators coach Peter Laviolette on their power play
"We definitely want to limit the penalties we take, but like always, the guys were working so hard, giving them a lot of pressure and not letting them set up and make the plays they want. I think that's why we've had the success we've had. It's incredible all the [shorthanded goals] we have." -- Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper on their penalty kill

Need to know

Grabner has 19 shorthanded goals since the 2010-11 season, second most in the NHL behind Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (23). … Demers left late in the third period with a lower-body injury and will be re-evaluated Friday. … Predators forward Austin Watson had an assist in his first game this season after serving an 18-game suspension. … Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (upper body) was placed on injured reserve before the game. … Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (upper body) did not play after making his season debut Tuesday following knee surgery in April. … The Coyotes didn't get their ninth victory until their 39th game (9-25-5) last season. … Arizona has won five of its past six home games.

What's next

Predators: Host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; FS-TN, FS-W, NHL.TV)
Coyotes:Host the Boston Bruins on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; FS-A PLUS, NESN, NHL.TV)