Kuemper Gets 1st Shutout of Season, Coyotes Beat Avs 3-0

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Darcy Kuemper stopped 33 shots in his first shutout of the season, Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist and Conor Garland scored his team-high seventh goal as the Arizona Coyotes beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 Saturday night.

Christian Dvorak also scored for Arizona, which dealt Colorado its fourth straight loss.

Kessel had a goal and an assist in the first period, and his wrist shot from a seemingly impossible angle along the red line to the left of Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz gave the Coyotes a 2-0 lead late in the period.

Kuemper, who was fifth in the Vezina Trophy voting last season, weathered a short Colorado offensive burst midway through the second period for his 17th career shutout. He had a career-high five shutouts last season.

The Coyotes have allowed 28 goals this season, the second-fewest in the league, and have won seven of their nine games. Boston has allowed 26 goals.

Dvorak scored on a power play early in the first period, poking in the rebound of shot by Kessel from the left point. Garland redirected a cross-ice pass from Nick Schmaltz into a half-empty net with four minutes left in the second period.

Avalanche forward Nathan McKinnon had a 13-game scoring streak stopped. He was the only player to have a point in every game this season, and his streak was longest to open a season since Henrik Zetterberg scored in 17 straight for Detroit in 2007-08.

NOTES

The Coyotes killed off a tripping penalty called on goaltender Darcy Kuemper at 8:42 of the first period, served by Kessel. Kuemper had a career-high seven minor penalties last season. … Colorado F Nathan McKinnon, who had a career-high 12 shots in a 2-1 loss to Dallas on Friday, attempted four shots. … The Coyotes had 15 penalty minutes after entering the game with only 72, the second-fewest in the league. … Coyotes F Brad Richardson (upper body) missed his fourth straight game.

UP NEXT

Avalanche: At Dallas on Tuesday, three days after a 2-1 home loss to the Stars.

Coyotes: At Edmonton on Monday in the first of two road games in two days.

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The Associated Press