GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The way things are going for the Coyotes at Gila River Arena, this upcoming, three-game road trip may feel like a vacation. Following Saturday's 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh, Arizona owns the NHL's worst home record at 10-22-5.
The last time Arizona won at home was a 3-2 shootout win over Sunday's opponent, Vancouver, on March 5. The last time Arizona won at home in regulation or overtime was Jan. 8 against Winnipeg. Arizona has lost 15 of its past 16 home games.
"It doesn't matter where you play but obviously it's more frustrating at home if you're always in tight games and just can't manage to get points," Coyotes wing Tobias Rieder said. "We're here every day, putting the work in and we're not getting any points."
The reason for that is obvious. The Coyotes (21-43-8) have scored more than two goals just twice in their past 21 games. One more might have been enough to push the game along on Saturday after the Coyotes grabbed the lead on Rieder's third shorthanded goal of the season. Pittsburgh was riding a four-game losing streak, during which it had scored a total of two goals.
Pittsburgh went 13:12 before recording a shot on goal in the game. The Penguins were snake-bitten until Arizona goalie Mike Smith made a mistake on a Pittsburgh power play midway through the second period.
Smith stopped a puck behind his net and tried to clear it up the middle of the ice without seeing Pittsburgh forward Brandon Sutter. The puck struck Sutter in the rear and caromed into the net to tie the score 1-1.
"Bad decision making," said Smith, who was trying to ice the puck. "It cost us a goal and it ended up being pretty important. That one's on me."
The Penguins came into the game having scored just two power-play goals in their last nine games (2 of 26) but cashed in on that most fortunate bounce to turn the tide in the game.
Former Coyote Daniel Winnik gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead at 12:21 of the second period when Sidney Crosby won an offensive-zone faceoff back to defenseman Kris Letang. With the puck on edge, Letang sent a curving slap shot toward the net that deflected off Winnik and into the net for a 2-1 lead.
"The second period, we knew they were going to push awful hard," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "They were struggling to score goals and they got a break on that (first) one and put us on our heels a little bit."
Crosby added an empty-netter for his 24th goal of the season with 12 seconds remaining in the game. The loss was the 17th in Arizona's past 18 games overall (1-16-1).
When: Sunday, 5 p.m.
Where: Gila River Arena
TV: FOX Sports Arizona Plus
Season series: Coyotes lead, 2-1
Injuries: Arizona -- F Mikkel Boedker (splenectomy) Martin Hanzal (back surgery) are out for the season. C Martin Erat (upper body) is day to day. Vancouver -- Ryan Miller (knee) is out until the playoffs. F Brad Richardson (ankle), F Zack Kassian (back) did not make the trip. F Alex Burrows (head) is questionable.
Quick facts: Former Coyote Radim Vrbata scored the game winner and Vancouver added two empty-netters in a 4-1 win in Los Angeles on Saturday. ... Vrbata leads the Canucks with 27 goals. Daniel Sedin leads Vancouver in points with 62. ... Eddie Lack (2.43 GAA, .920 SP) is shouldering the goaltending load with Ryan Miller (sprained knee) out until the playoffs. ... Mike Smith will start in goal for the Coyotes.
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