Arizona 1, Chicago 0
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Referees:
Frederic L'Ecuyer, Kyle Rehman
Linesmen:
Lonnie Cameron, Jesse Marquis
Attendance:
15055
By Field Level Media
Nick Cousins scored the game's lone goal 5:40 into the third period, and Darcy Kuemper stopped 31 shots for his fourth shutout of the season as the Arizona Coyotes defeated the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 1-0 Tuesday night.
The Coyotes (37-33-7, 81 points) snapped a five-game winless streak (0-3-2) and moved into a tie with idle Colorado for the Western Conference's second and final wild-card playoff berth. The Avalanche have a game in hand, with six regular-season matchups remaining compared to Arizona's five.
Goaltender Corey Crawford stopped 28 of 29 shots for the Blackhawks (33-33-10, 76 points), who trail Colorado and Arizona by five points. Chicago, which had gained points in seven of its previous nine outings (6-2-1), has six games remaining.
The game was scoreless through two periods, with both teams putting 17 shots on goal.
Arizona finally broke through after Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook was penalized for tripping the Coyotes' Lawson Crouse at 4:35 of the third period.
Arizona defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson took the puck at center ice and skated into the offensive zone down the right wing. He made a backhanded pass to Cousins in the faceoff circle.
Cousins drove to the net and worked his way around diving defenseman Duncan Keith. His first shot was stopped by Crawford, but the puck bounced back to Cousins, who put his follow-up between the goalie's right elbow and body and into the net.
The game featured a playoff intensity throughout. Chicago outshot Arizona 31-29, and there were only three penalties assessed, two against the Blackhawks.
Kuemper made his 18th consecutive start for Arizona. His 2.45 goals-against average and .921 save percentage entering the game were second in the NHL among goalies who have played at least 50 games.
Crawford, who missed substantial time each of the past two seasons with concussions, made his 10th straight start for the Blackhawks. Crawford was 12-3-2 in his previous 18 appearances against Arizona.
--Field Level Media
Top Game Performances
| Chicago |
|
Arizona |
|
N/A |
Points |
Nick Cousins 1 |
|
N/A |
Goals |
Nick Cousins 1 |
|
N/A |
Assists |
Oliver Ekman-Larsson 1 |
|
N/A |
Power Play Goals |
Nick Cousins 1 |
|
N/A |
Short Handed Goals |
N/A |
|
Corey Crawford .966 |
Save Percentage |
Darcy Kuemper 1.000 |
|
Corey Crawford 28 |
Saves |
Darcy Kuemper 31 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
| Chicago
|
31 |
0 |
0-1 |
1-2 |
4 |
22 |
| Arizona
|
29 |
1 |
1-2 |
1-1 |
2 |
29 |
Upcoming Games
-
Arizona will play their next game on the road against Colorado. The Coyotes have a W/L % of .514 after a win and .450 after a loss.
-
Chicago will play their next game on the road against San Jose. The Blackhawks have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .381 after a loss.
For more information, contact us