Rangers 5 - 1 Coyotes
Final
  for this game

Vigneault wins 500th as Rangers beat Coyotes

Feb 15, 2015 - 5:49 AM Glendale, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Rick Nash, Kevin Hayes, Marc Staal and Lee Stempniak scored in the third period, and the New York Rangers gave head coach Alain Vigneault his 500th career victory with a 5-1 decision over Arizona on Saturday.

Chris Kreider picked up a first-period marker for the Rangers, who swept their three-game road trip and outscored the opposition 16-8 in the process.

"I've been very fortunate to coach some real good players and work with great staff and management over the years," said Vigneault, who trails the late Pat Burns by one victory. "That's the key to a coach's success."

Cam Talbot buttressed his offense with a 34-save effort including a penalty- shot stop against Tobias Rieder.

Antoine Vermette provided the sole offense for the Coyotes, who have dropped three straight and five of their last six. Mike Smith gave up all five scores on 33 shots.

Nash began the barrage in the final frame by beating Smith only 1:19 in, then Hayes recorded the first short-handed goal of his career with a slick short- side shot with 11:54 elapsed.

In between the scores, Talbot flashed the pad to deny Rieder's first career free shot, coming with 6:20 elapsed in the third.

"I just tried to get a move in and open up his five-hole but didn't make enough of a move," Rieder said.

Staal's wrister made it 4-1 just over two minutes later and Stempniak completed the burst when Smith flailed at his chance and pushed it into the net while scrambling to cover up at 17:47.

Kreider gave the visitors the lead 55 seconds into the second period, then Vermette drew the hosts even at 6:33.

Talbot stopped 13 more Coyotes shots in the middle frame.

Game Notes

Vigneault's record improved to 500-335-35-72 with the Canadiens, Canucks and Rangers since 1997 ... He is the first head coach to reach 500 career wins behind the Rangers' bench and his 942 games marked the fourth-quickest to the milestone in NHL history ... In addition, Vigneault tied legendary coach Toe Blake for 20th on the all-time list ... New York's Derek Dorsett and Kevin Klein each chipped in a pair of assists ... Arizona has lost seven straight on home ice.






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