Wedgewood makes 43 saves, Coyotes defeat Golden Knights

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Scott Wedgewood made 43 saves, and Nick Schmaltz scored twice in the third period for the Arizona Coyotes in a 3-1 win against the Vegas Golden Knights at Gila River Arena on Friday.

Shayne Gostisbehere scored for the Coyotes (14-34-4), who have won two of their past three games.
"We knew going in they're a team that likes to throw a lot of pucks to the net," Arizona defenseman Dysin Mayo said. "Our goal was to be hard to play against. We gave them a bit too much early off their transition game, which is what they're really good at, but we cleaned that up."
Laurent Brossoit made 29 saves, and William Carrier scored for the Golden Knights (29-19-4), who have lost four of five.
"There wasn't too much to like," Vegas forward Reilly Smith said. "These are games we can't lose and, especially this time of the year, it's pretty costly."

Vegas had two power plays in the first five minutes but did not score.
"We fought them off early, gained a little bit of confidence in our defensive structure and put together a very well-rounded game," Wedgewood said. "The shot count was high, but the guys did a great job in front of me."
The Golden Knights had several excellent scoring chances late in the third, including a one-timer by Jack Eichel and a Nicolas Roy attempt from the slot that the Coyotes blocked.
"A lot of shots, a lot of opportunities. I think if we capitalize on half of our chances, it's a different game," Vegas forward Chandler Stephenson said. "I think almost everybody got a look in the third period. If one of those goes in, it changes the outcome of the game."

Carrier gave tjhe Golden Knights a 1-0 lead at 11:03 of the second period. He got his rebound behind the net, spun around, and drove to the front to score.
"We had multiple chances to really put them in a hole, odd-man rushes, two power plays and [not] let them hang around," Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said. "And that's what happens when you let teams hang around."
Smith said the Golden Knights didn't look past the Coyotes to a home game Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, but, "I guess in watching the game, you can have your doubts about that."

Gostisbehere tied it 1-1 at 14:16 with a slap shot from the right point.
"I thought we were a heavy team, we hit hard, we battled hard we pressed hard along the boards and made it tough to play against us," Coyotes coach Andre Tourigny said. "In the first, we were trading scoring chances, but we made adjustments and the guys did a fantastic job to adjust and to tighten it up."
Schmaltz put Arizona in front 2-1 at 3:16 of the third period by redirecting Anton Stralman's shot from the point. Schmaltz's empty-net goal at 19:29 made it 3-1. He has scored six goals in his past nine games.
"For me the story of the game was we played well enough defensively, our goalie was good enough to win it, but we got one goal tonight, from our fourth line," DeBoer said.
NOTES: Vegas forwards Max Pacioretty and Mattias Janmark did not play in the third period, each because of an undisclosed injury. DeBoer didn't have an update on either player. … The Golden Knights were without forward Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Dylan Coghlan because of the flu. … Vegas defenseman Zach Whitecloud returned after being out since Jan. 29 (lower body) and had an assist on Carrier's goal. … Vegas had won seven of its previous nine against Arizona. … DeBoer was trying for his 500th NHL coaching win. … Nick Ritchie, a forward acquired in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, played 11:19 in his Coyotes debut and had two shots on goal and four hits. He also drew an interference penalty 1:47 into the game. … Coyoted forward Clayton Keller had an assist and has scored 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in his past 13 games. … Mayo, a rookie, signed a three-year contract before the game.