GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Rangers had battled back twice from two goals down two nights ago to defeat Ottawa at Madison Square Garden.
Thursday night, the Coyotes — who had lost five straight — tried to do the same thing to the Blueshirts, recovering from two-goal deficits to tie the score in the third period.
But Matt Puempel’s two goals in the third period, completing the first hat trick of his career, dashed the Coyotes’ hopes in a 6-3 Rangers victory.
With the scored tied at 3, Puempel set a screen in front and deflected Ryan McDonagh’s shot past Mike Smith, scoring his second power-play goal with 5:20 left in the third for the winner in the first of a two-game road trip.