TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Michael Carcone scored twice in Arizona’s six-goal third period, and the Coyotes rallied from three goals down to beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights 7-4 on Friday night.
Josh Doan, Nick Bjugstad and Carcone scored in a 67-second span midway through the third to tie it 4-4 before Carcone’s deflection off Zach Whitecloud’s stick put the Coyotes ahead with 5:13 remaining.
Josh Brown and Logan Cooley scored in the final four minutes as the Coyotes stopped the Golden Knights’ seven-game point streak (6-0-1) while tying a franchise record for goals in a period. Cooley scored into an empty net. Alex Kerfoot also scored for Arizona, and Karel Vejmelka had 20 saves.
“We showed character,” Arizona coach Andre Tourigny said. “Our guys showed they care a lot. We’ve had comebacks in the past, and it’s good for everybody to contribute.”
Clayton Keller had two assists to extend his points streak to 10 games, the longest active streak in the league. It was the Coyotes’ league-best second comeback from a three-goal deficit this season. Their six goals came in a span of 9:06, the fastest six in a third period since the original Winnipeg Jets (who later moved to Arizona) in 1988.
“Some of it was us not taking care of the details,” Las Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Let’s face it, there was a stretch there where every shot went in. You have to stop the bleeding somewhere in that. They were opportunistic, and we paid the price.”
William Karlsson, Jack Eichel, Anthony Mantha and Chandler Stephenson scored in the second period and the Golden Knights had a 4-1 lead with 13 minutes remaining. Logan Thompson finished with 25 saves.
The Golden Knights lost a three-goal third period lead in a 5-4 overtime loss at Nashville on March 26, their only loss in a seven-game stretch.
“It’s happened twice in the last two weeks now, and we have to find a way not to collapse, like we have been,” Karlsson said. “It’s only going to be move intense in the playoffs, once we get there. I feel like it was little mistakes that led to big consequences. Sometimes we just have simplify, especially if they get a goal or two. Just try to breathe and play simple.”
The Knights lost a chance to move into sole possession of third place in the Pacific Division in the tight Western Conference playoff race. Vegas is tied with Nashville with 92 points — one ahead of Los Angeles — as the teams jockey for playoff position. All three have six games remaining, none against each other.
Nashville is fourth in the Central Division and the Kings are fourth in the Pacific. The top three teams in each division automatically qualify for the playoffs, and the top two remaining point-getters earn the final two West playoff spots.
“It’s April,” Cassidy said. “Take care of business on the ice. We’re not in the playoffs. These are not games that are out the window. We don’t have an opponent yet. Let’s take care of business so we can have an opponent and not let points slip away. We’ll regroup. It’s a good group in there.”
Kerfoot got Arizona on the scoreboard first at 6:17 of the second period when his wrist shot from the far left side of the left circle near the side boards hit Thompson’s blocker and bounced in.
After taking only three shots in the first period, the Golden Knights came alive with a four-goal second period.
Eichel tied it at 7:39 when he knocked in a rebound of a shot by Brayden McNabb that Vejmelka stopped with his chest but could not control.
Karlsson made it 2-1 with 8:52 remaining when he scored on a wrist shot from the slot after taking drop pass from Brendan Brisson.
Mantha scored three minutes later for a 3-1 lead when he found an open side on a 3-on-2 break after taking a pass from Karlsson.
Stephenson’s goal in the final two minutes capped the Golden Knight’s big period.
UP NEXT
Golden Knights: at Vancouver on Monday.
Coyotes: At San Jose on Sunday.