Alex DeBrincat's OT goal propels Blackhawks past Coyotes

[April 21, 2022]  Alex DeBrincat notched his 40th goal of the season in overtime and Alex Vlasic netted his first NHL goal as the visiting Chicago Blackhawks claimed a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes Wednesday in Glendale, Ariz.

Dominik Kubalik and Jake McCabe also scored for the Blackhawks (26-40-11, 63 points). Goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 32 saves.

Nathan Smith, with his first NHL goal, Barrett Hayton and Anton Stralman replied for the Coyotes (22-49-6, 50 points), who have lost eight straight games. Goalie Karel Vejmelka stopped 36 shots.

DeBrincat, whose career high is 41 goals, capped a two-point game by burying a snapshot with 37 seconds remaining in overtime.

The Blackhawks have only two wins in their last 12 outings.

McCabe opened the scoring 42 seconds into what became a back-and-forth game. During a scramble, McCabe pounced on the loose puck during a scramble for his fourth goal of the season.

Then, Kubalik's 14th goal of the campaign doubled the lead with a rebound tally that finished off a flurry of chances at 15:32 of the opening period.

Hayton gave the hosts a jolt of life when he pounced on a rebound for his ninth of the season past the midway point -- a goal assisted by alternate captain Andrew Ladd, the former Blackhawks forward who was playing in his 100th NHL game.

Apr 20, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic (43) celebrates his first career NHL goal during the second period of the game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

However, Vlasic -- the 2019 second-round draft choice who signed after finishing his junior year at Boston University -- made it a 3-1 game at 16:25 of the middle frame when his point shot bounced off the skate of a defender and into the net.

To their credit, the Coyotes didn't fold. Smith, who joined Arizona after his junior year at Minnesota State, pulled the Coyotes within one by burying a rebound for his first NHL tally with 10:08 remaining in regulation.

Stralman tied the game four minutes later when he was left open in the slot and ripped a top-corner shot for his sixth of the season and forced overtime.

--Field Level Media

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