Panik, Galchenyuk lead Coyotes over Capitals

[November 12, 2018]  Richard Panik and Alex Galchenyuk both finished with a goal and an assist as the Arizona Coyotes defeated the host Washington Capitals 4-1 on Sunday night.

This victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Arizona, which next plays in Detroit on Tuesday before beginning a five-game homestand.

Washington now has lost two in a row and ended a five-game homestand with a 2-2-1 record. On the homestand, the Capitals won two straight for the first time this season.

Arizona goalie Darcy Kuemper helped with 38 saves, robbing the Capitals on several occasions.

Braden Holtby finished with 18 saves for Washington, but Arizona scored the first two goals and never trailed in this game.

Washington outshot the Coyotes 39-22 but managed just one goal.

Vinnie Hinostroza got the game's first goal after quick passes from Panik and then Dylan Strome. The power-play shot from the edge of the left circle gave the Coyotes a 1-0 lead with 3:04 left in the first period.

Panik then made it 2-0 at the 11:57 mark of the second period. He collected the puck in the defensive end after a Washington rush, came straight up the right wing, and beat Holtby on a high shot to the short side.

Nicklas Backstrom answered just 44 seconds later thanks to a nice cross-ice feed from Alex Ovechkin and cut the lead to 2-1.

Coyotes right wing Richard Panik (14) skates with the puck to score a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Galchenyuk then gave Arizona an insurance goal on a power-play score with 5:22 left in the period. Holtby stopped a shot by Brendan Perlini, but Galchenyuk stuffed the rebound in from right in front and made it 3-1.

Arizona scored on two of its five shots in the second period.

Galchenyuk then sprung Derek Stepan so the veteran could score a late empty-net goal for the 4-1 final.

Top defenseman John Carlson returned and played for the Capitals after missing the previous game with an undisclosed lower-body injury.

--Field Level Media

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