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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Phoenix Coyotes, losers of four straight and six of seven coming into the game against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, really needed a win. Goalie Mike Smith needed one even more.
Smith made 28 saves and Antoine Vermette scored the only goal of the game on a first-period power play to lead the Coyotes to a 1-0 win against slumping Vancouver, which has lost three straight in regulation and eight of nine (1-5-3).
A game that featured 20 penalties concluded with Vancouver on a four-minute power play after Martin Hanzal was called for a double minor for high sticking Canucks forward David Booth with 4:05 left to play. But the Canucks managed one shot with a chance to tie the game, and they finished 0-for-7 with the man advantage.
The Canucks rang up 162 penalty minutes on their 0-3-0 road trip, which also included a 9-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday and a 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.
The Coyotes have three wins in the past 11 games (3-6-3), but the last two are shutouts at Jobing.com Arena against Western Canadian teams. Phoenix blanked the Calgary Flames 6-0 at home Jan. 7, but hadn't won since.
Smith registered his 25th career shutout but his first this season. He was chosen to represent Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics nine days ago, but it's been his only good news of late. Smith had been 0-5-2 in his past seven decisions dating back to Dec. 21, and he had three wins in 17 decisions dating back to Nov. 21 (3-9-5).
The Canucks thought they had tied the game at 8:52 of the third. Smith made a save on Dan Hamhuis' shot, but the puck flipped in the air and bounced off the glove of Vancouver's Henrik Sedin. But referee Dave Jackson immediately waved off the goal immediately, and the call was upheld by video review to keep the score 1-0.
The one area that hasn't deserted the Coyotes during their losing streak - the power play - got Phoenix on the board.
With Canucks defenseman Jason Garrison in the box for hauling down Mikkel Boedker, Keith Yandle was able to hold the puck in the Vancouver zone before setting up Vermette for a shot that banked off Hamhuis and through Lack's pads at 12:51 of the first.
Vermette's 13th goal was his first since he had a hat trick against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 21. In 11 games since the three-goal night, he had one assist. It also continued his career success against Vancouver: He has seven goals and 18 points in 24 games against the Canucks.
Vancouver had a golden chance to tie the game early in the second period. With Smith down and out, Daniel Sedin shot a point-blank chance a foot over the wide open net to continue his offensive struggles.
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