Lawson Crouse’s trade stock on the rise after first hat trick; Coyotes beat Senators
Anthony Scultore
|
Lawson Crouse is another name on the NHL Trade Bait List (ranked #24) whose stock is on the rise after his latest performance.
He recorded his first career hat trick and Nick Schmaltz scored the go-ahead goal at 7:46 of the third period to fuel the visiting Arizona Coyotes to a 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Monday.
“It’s a special feeling,” said Crouse. “You always want to be out there and try and make the biggest difference you can make. To get my first hat trick tonight in front of some friends and family is a really good feeling, and to cap it off with a win makes it that much more special.”
Crouse scored with the teams at even strength and then with the Coyotes on the power play and short-handed, and Scott Wedgewood made 40 saves. The Coyotes have won five of their last six games, and they also capped a season sweep of Ottawa, having won 8-5 on March 5 in Glendale, Ariz.
Schmaltz, who recorded a franchise-record seven points in the previous game against Ottawa, backhanded the puck past Gustavsson to regain the lead for Arizona. It was Schmaltz’s 17th goal of the season, and it extended his point streak to a career high-tying six games (six goals, nine assists), a run that was initially set from Oct. 10-22, 2019.
Lawson Crouse first hat trick lifts Coyotes
Josh Norris opened the scoring at 2:39 of the first period before Crouse countered by scoring two goals in 71 seconds.
Crouse converted a 2-on-1 rush with Phil Kessel at 7:49 before a cross-checking penalty on Senators captain Brady Tkachuk sent Arizona to the power play at 8:45. The Coyotes needed just 15 seconds to cash in, with Crouse extending his stick to deftly deflect defenseman Shane Gostisbehere’s shot past Gustavsson.
Norris leveled the contest just over five minutes later after his shot from the right circle beat Wedgewood for his team-leading 24th goal of the season.
With Nick Ritchie serving a roughing penalty, Crouse scored his career-high 18th goal of the season to give Arizona a 3-2 lead at 16:12 of the third period.
Crouse alertly tapped the puck past Ottawa defenseman Thomas Chabot to set up his breakaway bid. He then used his body to fend off Norris before wristing a shot past Gustavsson inside the right post.
Connor Brown cleaned up a loose puck at the doorstep to forge a 3-3 tie at 7:30 of the third period before Schmaltz answered 16 seconds later.
Barrett Hayton effectively sealed the win by scoring into the empty net from center ice with 48 seconds remaining.
–Field Level Media contributed to this report