Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored the first of Arizona’s three first-period goals, a healthy Phil Kessel had two assists and the Coyotes held on to beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 on Sunday to open their Stanley Cup qualifier series.
The Coyotes made the most of their first postseason appearance since 2012, scoring three goals in the opening period on their way to building a 4-1 lead.
The Predators rallied behind two goals by Filip Forsberg, the second midway through the third period, to cut Arizona’s lead to 4-3.
Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg (9) skates past as Arizona Coyotes' Lawson Crouse (67) and Michael Grabner (40) celebrate a goal during second-period NHL hockey Stanley Cup qualifying round game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
Darcy Kuemper, who stopped 40 shots, held off Nashville’s late push and the Coyotes snatched momentum heading into Game 2 of the best-of-five series on Tuesday.
Christian Dvorak, Clayton Keller and Michael Grabner also scored for Arizona.
Ryan Ellis also scored for Nashville, and Juuse Saros stopped 33 shots.
Nashville Predators' Rocco Grimaldi (23) and Arizona Coyotes' Taylor Hall (91) battle for the puck during second-period NHL hockey Stanley Cup qualifying round game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
Nashville was sixth in the Western Conference when the season was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.The Coyotes were beneficiaries of the new playoff format for the restart, earning a spot in the qualifier after ending the regular season 11th in the West.
FLYERS 4, BRUINS 1
Carter Hart stopped 34 shots, and Philadelphia opened the playoffs seeding round with a victory over Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston.
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) dumps Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Justin Braun (61) during second-period NHL hockey playoff action in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)
Hart is 11 days shy of his 22nd birthday in becoming the youngest goalie in Flyers history to win a playoff game. Michael Raffl had a goal and assist, and Nate Thompson, Philippe Myers and Scott Laughton also scored.
With 16 teams competing in best-of-five elimination series, the top four teams in each conference are playing a round-robin series to determine seeding entering the first round of the playoffs. Philadelphia finished fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, and the Bruins first.
Chris Wagner scored for the Bruins, and Jaroslav Halak stopped 25 shots.
Philadelphia Flyers left wing Michael Raffl (12) scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak (41) during second-period NHL hockey playoff action in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)