Local Sports

Coyotes Drop Blackhawks

Brad Richardson had a goal and an assist, Clayton Keller scored twice and the Coyotes jumped out to a comfortable early lead on their way to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

 

Vinnie Hinostroza, playing against his former team, assisted on all three of Arizona's first-period goals to match his career high for points in a game. He became the first Coyotes player in more than a year to have three assists in a single period.

 

Michael Grabner and ex-Blackhawk Nick Schmaltz each added a goal for the Coyotes. Christian Dvorak had two assists and Keller tied a franchise record with 12 shots on goal during Arizona's fourth victory in six games.

 

Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome, the Coyotes' top draft pick in 2015, scored for the Blackhawks, who lost their third straight.

 

The Coyotes had lost four of their past five home games. But they beat Chicago for the second time in five days and have won five of the last six meetings overall.

 

Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves for Arizona. Robin Lehner stopped 35 shots for the Blackhawks.

 

Arizona got off to a flying start with two goals on its first four shots. Richardson fed Grabner with a long pass between the blue lines and he sped past a defender to get enough space for a backhand that found the net just 2:56 into the game.

 

Speed and a long pass were the difference again on the second goal, at 5:03 of the first. Jordan Oesterle sent a pass out of his own zone up the ice that Hinostroza deflected to Keller on a rush. Keller scored and crashed hard into the boards after his sixth of the season.

 

The Blackhawks are in St. Louis to take on the Blues on Saturday night.

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