Lindholm scores shootout winner in Hurricanes 2-1 win over Coyotes

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

GLENDALE, ARIZ. – Elias Lindholm scored the deciding goal in a 2-1 shootout win for the Carolina Hurricanes over the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on Thursday.

“A one-goal game, right?” Carolina head coach Bill Peters said.

“We didn’t exactly get off to the start we wanted, but I thought we built the game from there.”

Victor Rask scored just 63 seconds into the game to give Carolina the early 1-0 lead.

It was the rookie’s seventh goal of the season which defenseman Ron Hainsey and John-Michael Liles earned assists on.

David Moss posted his first of the season just over five minutes later to tie it up for the host Coyotes.

Both teams remained scoreless for the remainder of regulation time and overtime with Carolina outshooting Arizona 41-29.

Carolina was faced with the challenge of playing with five defenseman after Ryan Murphy was injured at the midpoint of the opening period.

“I thought our forwards did a better job cuttin’ people off and workin’ hard and makin’ sure pucks got deep so the D could change,” Peters said with regard to playing a man down.

“Then I thought our gaps and everything from those five guys were phenomenal the final two periods. I thought those five guys played really well.”

Peters indicated that he had no update on the status of Murphy’s condition, a suspected lower-body injury.

The game continued on with Arizona putting ample shots towards goaltender Cam Ward who made 28 saves to earn the win, while at the other end of the ice Coyotes netminder Mike Smith withstood a barrage of 33 Hurricanes shot attempts during the final two periods and overtime.

With Lucas Lessio, Sam Gagner, and Antoine Vermette unable to beat Ward, Smith eventually denied Rask’s attempt as the second shooter, but Lindholm’s deke undressed him to give Carolina its first win on its current four-game road trip.

Carolina next travels to San Jose to wrap up the road trip against the Sharks on Saturday, before returning home to rest and prepare for its next game at home against Anaheim on Feb. 12.

Boxscore: Carolina 2, Arizona 1