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Nazem Kadri scored twice in the third period to lead the Flames to a 6-5 win over the Coyotes National sports

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Nazem Kadri scored twice and had an assist in the third period as the Calgary Flames rallied to beat the Arizona Coyotes 6-5 on Sunday.

Andrei Kuzmenko, Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Egor Sharangovich also scored for Calgary, which has won three of its last four games. Dustin Wolf finished with 30 saves and won his third straight start.

“There aren't many nights where (Kadri) doesn't play,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “I'm glad he's coming this season, he's done a lot for us.”

Kadri led the club with 74 points, 15 points ahead of second-placed Yegor Sharangovic.

“He's a competitor, he always has been. When he's in a situation where he needs to lift someone or grab things, I think he feels obligated that that person is him,” Huska said.

Dylan Guenther had two goals and Alex Kerfoot, Mathias McChelly and Josh Doan also scored for Arizona, which swept the three-game season series with the Flames. Clayton Keller had two assists.

Connor Ingram made 25 saves before being replaced by Karel Weimelka in the third period after taking an errant stick in the mask from Coronato. Veymelka did not face any blows.

“Too many breakdowns on defense,” Kerfoot said. “He released the puck a little bit. They're a good team in transition and they play without rushing.”

This could be the Coyotes' last road game as an Arizona team. They are expected to be traded to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and moved to Salt Lake City shortly after the team's season finale on Wednesday.

With the Flames trailing 5-4 after two periods, Kadri tied it at 1:14 of the third when he chased the puck near the corner and sent a sharp-angled shot between Ingram and the post.

Kadri then gave Calgary their first win of the night when he deflected in Mackenzie Vigar on the power play for his 29th goal of the season at 5:43.

“Throughout my life, even in youth hockey, I've always tried to make my teammates proud,” Kadri said. “Just communicating and having chemistry because I understand that team success as a unit usually leads to individual success.”

With nine goals and 16 points in his last nine games, Kuzmenko is the latest to benefit from his streak.

“He's not necessarily risk-averse, which can be good and bad,” Kadri said when asked about his talented Russian counterpart. “But when you start to manage the areas of the ice, the time and the points that come with experience, I think it can be a great tool to use to be fearless and not afraid to make mistakes. »

The Flames earned their 10th win after coming from behind after 40 minutes, tied with Colorado and the New York Rangers in the league.

Guenther gave the Coyotes a 4-3 lead with 4:46 left in the second period as he tipped in a layup from Ian Yenik.

Doan made it a two-goal game 1:03 later and Sharangovic put the Flames within one 5-4 33 seconds later.

Doan, the son of longtime Coyotes great Shane Doan, made an immediate impact in his first month in the NHL. The 22-year-old 2021 second-round pick has five goals and nine points in his first 10 games.

The Coyotes have won four of their last five as they finish the season well. They are 4-1-0 on their five-game road trip with 20 minutes remaining.

“Our guys showed a lot of character in the last week. Our last three games, very competitive games and we've come through two very tough games. Really proud of them,” Coyotes coach Andre Turinni said.

Arizona got off to a quick start with goals 1:19 apart from Kerfoot and McChelly to take a 2-0 lead 3:55 into the game. The Coyotes held a 7-1 advantage in hits at that point.

However, Kuzmenko and Coronato tied the score at 9:42 with a 2:20 difference.

Guenther had 2:06 left on the power play of the night, giving Arizona a 3-2 lead at the first intermission.

Calgary tied it again at 9:07 of the second when Zari buried Dryden Hunt's layup.

Kuzmenko, who arrived from Vancouver as part of the return trade for Elias Lindholm, had 14 goals and 26 points in 29 games with the Flames. At the time of his acquisition, he had eight goals and 21 points in 43 games with the Canucks.

NEXT UP

Coyotes: Hosted Edmonton in the season finale on Wednesday night.

Flames: Vancouver can host San Jose in the season finale on Thursday night before returning home on Tuesday night.


AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

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