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Arizona Coyotes 3, Nashville Predators 0: Pushed down the Hill

Posted on by Chris Brooks

The Nashville Predators suffered their second consecutive loss in rather resounding fashion, falling 3-0 to the Arizona Coyotes.

Arizona goaltender Adin Hill recorded his first career NHL shutout with 29 saves as the Predators were blanked for the second time this season.

Nashville (17-8-1) fell to 1-2 on the current homestand, the longest of the season.

The Coyotes (11-11-2) committed the game’s first penalty as Michael Grabner was guilty of high sticking, but they made sure to at least get a shorthanded 2-on-1 out of the deal.

Clayton Keller opened the scoring 1:40 into the second period, capping a nice passing play off an odd-man rush.

Dan Hamhuis was called for interference 2:21 into the second period, sending the Coyotes onto their first power play. Colton Sissons broke in on Adin Hill shortly thereafter, but Hill thwarted the shorthanded chance.

Mattias Ekholm went off for holding at 13:47 of the second, and Colton Sissons had the closest thing to a goal to that point, clanging the right post on a 2-on-1 chance.

Ekholm went back to the box for a delay of game call after putting the puck over the glass late in the second period and Nick Schmaltz converted with 20.9 seconds left in the frame to give Arizona a 2-0 lead.

Colton Sissons was called for hooking just 27 seconds into the third period, but nothing came of that opportunity from either side.

Brad Richardson scored 11:23 into the third period to increase the Coyotes’ lead again and put the game out of reach.

Random Observations

  • Adin Hill, a seasoned veteran of six total NHL games, gets the start in goal for Arizona. Also his first start of the season. We’re on shutout alert.
  • The first thing I look at when I receive the visitors’ active lineup is if any of them have never scored an NHL goal. Thankfully, there are none for the Coyotes.
  • I was worried about the crowd for tonight with some rain, a Thursday night and the Coyotes as the opponent. Looking light so far.
  • It is Matt Irwin’s birthday today, but I don’t expect a birthday goal from him. He’s already hit the top of the boards with his chin, so turning 31 hasn’t been all it’s cracked up to be so far.
  • Uh oh, Arizona’s shorthanded. They’ve already got 59 shorties this year (slightly kidding, but they do have a lot).
  • Man, Roman. Get that shot off a little quicker and it’s 1-0.
  • Judging from this first period, Thursday against Arizona may be the new “Tuesdays with Calgary.”
  • Freddy and Miikka hook up for a good scoring chance. No dice, though.
  • Bonino and Jarnkrok break in on another man-down opp and what is this game really?
  • Even the scrums around the net are tame tonight.
  • Ryan Hartman’s trying to do some dirty work in front of Hill, but he needs the puck to actually get there, too.
  • Oh hey, a linesman’s skates manage to break up a potential odd-man rush from the Johansen line. Great.
  • What is it about having five skaters on the ice that’s slowing the Preds down tonight?
  • Rocco Grimaldi gets his shot on the top line. Well, at this point, why not?
  • Okay, this really has to stop. The shorthanded goal isn’t coming, especially with Colton Sissons in the box.
  • Damn, Fil. What did Jordan Oesterle do to you for that hit?
  • Nice toe drag, Ryan Ellis. Too bad you didn’t get a chance to finish.
  • Another fantastic stop by Rinne on Clayton Keller and there goes his stick.
  • Power play for the Preds and a whole lot of nothing. Shocker.
  • This is a bad loss, injuries or not, no matter how you slice it.
  • Matt Irwin’s birthday present is a misconduct penalty. /

Three Stars of the Game

  1. Hill. Figures he’d get the shutout.
  2. Rinne. Being honest, no other Predator deserves a mention here.
  3. Those who sold their tickets or otherwise didn’t go to Bridgestone Arena. As far as good decisions go, this was one.

Tweets of the Night

Talking Points