National Hockey League
Arizona 3, Vegas 0
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, April 30, 2021
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Referees: Gord Dwyer, Dan O'Rourke
Linesmen: Julien Fournier, Travis Gawryletz
Attendance: 5111

John Hayden, Michael Bunting and Christian Fischer provided the goals and Adin Hill recorded a shutout as the host Arizona Coyotes enhanced their slim playoff hopes with a 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday in Glendale, Ariz.

Hill made 25 saves for his second shutout of the season -- and third of his career -- and the Coyotes (22-24-5, 49 points) pulled themselves three points back of the St. Louis Blues in the chase for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division.

The Coyotes will need help even if they run the table. They have only five games remaining in the season, while the Blues have eight.

Goaltender Robin Lehner stopped 29 shots for the Golden Knights (35-12-2, 72 points), who saw their franchise record 10-game winning streak snapped but remain atop the division by four points over the second-place Colorado Avalanche. It was only Lehner's second regulation-time loss since he joined the Golden Knights last season.

The Coyotes play host to the Golden Knights on Saturday for the eighth and final meeting of the season. Vegas has won five of the seven clashes between the clubs this year.

Going into the game on a two-game slide and with just two wins in 11 games, the Coyotes received the start they were looking for when Hayden notched his second goal of the season just before the midway point of the first period. Arizona's forecheck created all kinds of pressure and Hayden buried a long rebound chance at the 9:13 mark of the first period.

Hayden was held without a goal in his first 22 games of the season, but has scored twice in the last four contests and both have been game-winning goals.

Bunting netted his ninth goal in 16 games this season 90 seconds into the third period to double the lead. Lehner stopped Nick Schmaltz's long shot, but Bunting was on the spot to bury the rebound for the much-needed insurance marker.

Fischer's empty-net goal with 2:37 remaining on the clock rounded out the scoring.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Vegas   Arizona
N/A Points Michael Bunting 1
N/A Goals Michael Bunting 1
N/A Assists Derick Brassard 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Robin Lehner .935 Save Percentage Adin Hill 1.000
Robin Lehner 29 Saves Adin Hill 25
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Vegas 25 0 0-2 2-2 4 25
Arizona 32 3 0-2 2-2 4 33
Upcoming Games
  • Arizona will play their next game at home against Vegas. The Coyotes have a W/L % of .381 after a win and .483 after a loss.
  • Vegas will play their next game on the road against Arizona. The Golden Knights have a W/L % of .714 after a win and .692 after a loss.