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Fourth-liner Derek Grant also scored and John
Gibson finished with 32 saves for the Ducks, who have won each
of their last three season openers.
Offseason acquisition Phil Kessel set up Derek Stepan's goal in
the second period for the Coyotes, who were plagued by a lack of
offensive firepower last season. They averaged 2.55 goals per
game, which was tied for third worst in the NHL.
Arizona's Darcy Kuemper turned aside 27 shots on Thursday, one
day after signing a two-year contract extension through the
2021-22 season.
Fowler weaved around Coyotes forward Vinnie Hinostroza before
unleashing a shot from the left circle that sailed over
Kuemper's left shoulder to give Anaheim a 2-1 lead with 32
seconds remaining in the second period.
The goal was the 59th of Fowler's career, who now sits one shy
of Scott Niedermayer for the team record among defensemen.
The Ducks scored the lone goal in the first period despite being
outshot by a 14-6 margin.
Grant settled a loose puck and alertly wired a cross-ice feed to
Devin Shore just outside the blue line. Shore skated in on net
before being denied by Kuemper, but Grant backhanded the loose
puck home to open the scoring with 5:28 remaining in the period.
The goal was the 17th of Grant's career, who scored twice in 31
games with Anaheim last season. He began the 2018-19 campaign in
Pittsburgh, with which he also scored two goals in 25 contests.
A pretty passing sequence allowed the Coyotes to forge a tie at
9:03 of the second period.
Clayton Keller backhanded a pass from just outside the right
circle to the slot for Kessel, who set up Stepan's one-timer
from the left circle that beat Gibson.
The point was the first in a Coyotes uniform for Kessel, who was
acquired from the Penguins for fellow forward Alex Galchenyuk on
June 30.
--Field Level Media
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