The Central Division-leading Nashville Predators were missing their leading scorer, Filip Forsberg, Saturday night against the Coyotes, the last place team in the division.
It didn't matter. The high-powered Predators scored three goals in the first period and got a 4-2 win at Gila River Arena.
Clayton Keller scored the Coyotes' first goal, lifting a shot off the back of Predators goaltender Juuse Saros early in the third period after Keller won the faceoff and tracked the puck to the side of the net.
Lawson Crouse also scored for his ninth of the season.
The Coyotes (7-23-3) went with Karel Vejmelka in goal for the third straight game after two good performances from the rookie.