Coyotes 4, Predators 0
PHOENIX -- Chad Johnson, making his first start in nearly three years, stopped 22 shots for his first career shutout and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Nashville Predators 4-0 on Monday night.
Johnson posted his first victory since Jan. 31, 2010, at Colorado in his fourth career start. He had not started an NHL game in his home arena and had appeared in only one game there.
Keith Yandle had a power-play goal and two assists, Nick Johnson added a goal and an assist, and Antoine Vermette and Lauri Korpikoski also scored for the Coyotes (2-4-0), who snapped a two-game losing streak.
Johnson was rarely tested by the Predators (1-2-3) other than a four-shot barrage in less than a minute midway through the second period that ncluding three saves in 10 seconds.
Pekka Rinne had 21 saves for the Predators, who were shut out for the second time in three games.
The Coyotes needed just three minutes to take the lead. Nick Johnson left the puck on a drop pass to Vermette in the middle of the right circle and Vermette beat Rinne with a wrist shot for his third goal of the season.
Korpikoski made it 2-0 at 16:48 of the second period when he corralled a loose puck on the right doorstep after a scrum in front and tucked the puck into the right side of the net for his 50th career goal.
Nick Johnson, who was recalled from Portland of the AHL three days ago, added his first goal for the Coyotes with 8:26 to play, taking a pass by Yandle from between the circles and wristing home a one-timer. Derek Morris started the play for his 400th career assist.
Yandle capped the scoring with 4:58 remaining, his first goal of the season.
NOTES: Phoenix is 100-13-15 when scoring first since 2009-10. ... The Predators were held to three first-period shots on goal for the second time in three games. ... Coyotes G Chad Johnson, who signed a one-year, two-way deal, started six games in two brief stints with the New York Rangers. ... Coyotes C Martin Hanzal was scratched for the third time in four games with a lower-body injury. ... Rinne entered the game with an 8-5-1 record and 2.05 GAA in 14 career starts against Phoenix. ... The Predators played their fourth game of a franchise-record seven-game, 15-day road trip. ... Phoenix D Rusty Klesla (lower body) skated with the team and is nearing a return. G Mike Smith (lower body) skated solo earlier Monday and remains day to day. ... Greg Jamison, erstwhile buyer for the Coyotes, told The Arizona Republic on Monday he expects an announcement to be made by Wednesday or Thursday. Jamison's agreement with the City of Glendale expires Thursday.
