Coyotes Grind out Ugly win Against Kraken

It wasn't always pretty, but the Coyotes were able to come away with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Kraken.

The Arizona Coyotes win a gutsy 4-3 shootout victory against the Seattle Kraken as they end their home stretch on a high note.

The Coyotes were coming off a demoralizing 5-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday afternoon and were in dire need of a victory to bring up morale.

Unfortunately for Arizona, Eeli Tolvanen scored for the Kraken less than a minute into the game putting the Coyotes in an early 1-0 hole.

Matias Maccelli responded just a few minutes later with a rocket of his own to tie the game up. Prior to the start of the season, Maccelli said he had to try and shoot more often and his first period goal just showed the strides he continues to make as a goalscorer.

Almost all of the Coyotes forwards tallied a goal leading into this game but Barrett Hayton remained scoreless. That would all change early in the second period when he tipped in a Clayton Keller shot on the power play putting the Coyotes up 2-1.

For Hayton, scoring that first goal must be a huge weight lifted off of his shoulders. The team has been clear that Hayton contributed in many other ways not seen on the stat sheet but now unlocking his offensive side will be critical for Arizona.

The momentum of this game would shift back and forth but it would be Jaden Schwartz who scored a little bit over a minute into the third period to give the Kraken a 3-2 lead.

However, the Coyotes would go to the power play and once again Keller used his powerful one-timer to tie up the score. Keller has really become the focal point of this Coyotes power play as his shot is so dangerous but he is also lethal as a facilitator using his speed and quick puck handling skills.

The game slowed down throughout the rest of the third period which carried into overtime. All of the sudden this game was going into a shootout.

The only goal to be scored in the shootout was from Nick Bjugstad who just seems to have magical powers when he is all alone with the opposing goaltender.

Connor Ingram was phenomenal for the Coyotes making 35 saves while standing tall in the shootout to help carry Arizona to victory.

While this wasn’t the best game the Coyotes have ever played, they grinded through it and sometimes a win isn’t going to be pretty.

It was definitely an ugly win but the Coyotes needed any sort of win since they are set to go on a five game road trip and can use the morale boost before leaving home.

The Coyotes next game will be on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.