GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If the Coyotes' desperate need for more skilled forwards wasn't apparent earlier this season, February and March have driven home the point with alarming force.
In its past 18 games, Arizona has scored more than two goals just twice. On Saturday, the Coyotes peppered New Jersey goalie Cory Schneider, outshooting the Devils 23-8 over the game's first 33 minutes.
Somehow, the Devils departed Gila River Arena with a 4-1 win that included three third-period goals. In two games against the Coyotes this season, Schneider has stopped 68 of 69 shots.
"I think we make a lot of goalies look good," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "We've played against some very good goaltenders, and Schneider is a very good goaltender, but as good as some of those goaltenders are, I think we end up making some of them look good."
Tippett counted nine or 10 scoring chances in the first period, some of which came during goal-mouth scrambles, yet the teams went to the first intermission scoreless, and that's the way it's been lately for this lineup.
"The (goalie) pad is 11 inches wide," Tippett said. "We have to probably shoot for 12 inches, at least."
New Jersey left winger Adam Henrique opened the scoring on a fluke play when he picked a puck out of midair and whacked it past Coyotes goalie Mike Smith on a power play with 1:57 left in the second period. Travis Zajac blasted a shot high over the net that struck the glass and ricocheted to Henrique, who was parked at the left post.
New Jersey widened the lead to 2-0 just 50 seconds into the third period when Smith couldn't control a tough rebound of right winger Jordin Tootoo's shot from the left side. Center Stephen Gionta knocked the rebound inside the near post before Smith could close the gap.
Shane Doan drew the Coyotes within 2-1 at 6:05 of the third period when he deflected center Mark Arcobello's shot past Schneider for his 13th goal of the season. But the Devils answered 19 seconds later when Tootoo scored off a rebound of left winger Michael Cammalleri's initial shot due to poor defensive zone coverage.
"It's one of those plays where you're trying to push to get back in the game after you score a goal... and you get caught on the wrong side of it," Doan said. "Obviously, they found a way to bury it."
The goal was the first in 15 games for Doan, but ending the drought provided little satisfaction for the team captain.
"It's nice to get one but obviously we needed more than that," Doan said. "Early in the first period I should have had one. Early in the third, I probably should have had one and it's a different game.
"Without a doubt that's been the problem. People that are expected to score have to score."
The loss was Arizona's 13th in its last 14 home games and its 14th loss in its last 15 overall.
Follow Craig Morgan on Twitter
