Jovanovski returns to Coyotes lineup, scores big goal in win over Senators

Jovanovski returns, scores for Coyotes in win

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Ed Jovanovski scored an unassisted goal in his return to the lineup and helped the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Saturday night.

Taylor Pyatt also had an unassisted goal and Petr Prucha scored for the Coyotes, who won their fourth straight to match a season high. The Coyotes’ 13 goals during their winning streak were scored by 10 players.

This was Phoenix’s first victory over Ottawa since March 9, 2002.

Chris Kelly and Jesse Winchester scored for the Senators, who have dropped five of six (1-4-1). Ottawa is winless through four games of its five-game road trip that will end Sunday at Anaheim.

Jovanovski corralled a clearing attempt just inside the blue line and used a screen by Prucha to beat Brian Elliott with a wrist shot from the high slot at 3:38 of the first period. The defenseman was back on the ice after missing 10 of the Coyotes’ previous 12 games, including the past two, because of a lower body injury.

Pyatt made it 2-0 at 8:49 of the first, taking advantage of a turnover at mid-ice. He skated down the left side before shifting to the middle with a quick move and scoring with a backhanded shot from the top of the crease.

Prucha extended Phoenix’s lead to 3-0 at 10:25 of the second, chipping a soft, looping shot off Elliott’s glove from the bottom of the left circle for his second goal in two games. In the previous 18 games, he had no goals and two assists.

Kelly ended Ilya Bryzgalov’s shutout bid with 3:19 remaining, popping the puck into the air off Bryzgalov and into the net. Winchester added a goal off a rebound, while the Senators played with an extra attacker, with 45.8 seconds to go.

NOTES: Phoenix also won four straight from Oct. 12-22. Phoenix LW Peter Mueller missed his third straight game. Unlike the past two, which were due to an upper body injury, the team listed Mueller as a healthy scratch against the Senators. It was the second time this season Mueller, who has one goal and three assists in 24 games, has sat out despite not being injured.