BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Clayton Keller had two assists to set the Arizona Coyotes' franchise record for most points by a rookie in a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night in a matchup of the NHL's two worst teams.
Rookie Dylan Strome scored in his first game after being called up from the minors. Derek Stepan had a goal and assist, and Richard Panik and Max Domi, with an empty-netter, also scored. Antti Raanta stopped 29 shots to improve to 12-4-4 in his past 20 starts.
Keller, Arizona's 2016 first-round draft pick, extended his points streak to six games, in which he has two goals and five assists. He has 55 points, one more than Peter Mueller had in setting the rookie team record in 2007-08. And Keller has 35 assists, one more than teammate Max Domi had in his rookie season two years ago.
Arizona improved to 13-5-2 in its past 20, and earned its 61st point in leaving Vancouver alone at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Jordan Nolan scored for Buffalo, which dropped to 23-38-12 to remain in last place in the overall standings.
Buffalo's Chad Johnson allowed two goals on 15 shots before leaving the game 6:04 into the second period. He continued playing after being shaken up three minutes into the first period, when Brendon Perlini's slap shot from the left circle struck Johnson in the mask and then went off his left shoulder.
Rookie Linus Ullmark took over and allowed one goal on 13 shots.
The Coyotes' power-play finally heated up by converting its two opportunities in the first period. The two power-play goals matched the number Arizona scored in 23 chances over its previous nine games.
Strome opened the scoring 3:38 into the game. Johnson stopped Alex Goligoski's initial shot and the rebound dribbled to Strome who started circling the net before stopping and banking a shot in off the back of the goalie's skate.
After Nolan tied the game by converting a loose puck in front, Stepan regained the lead with 2:16 left in the first period.
Stepping around Buffalo's Scott Wilson, Stepan moved into the slot and snapped a shot. Wilson swung his stick around and got a piece of the puck, which changed the direction and dribbled inside the left post.
Panik sealed the win by scoring 6:32 into the third. Keller's shot from the left circle was blocked and dribbled into the crease, where Panik slipped it under a spread-eagled Ullmark.
The two teams sat at the bottom of the standings when they met in Buffalo nearly three years ago to the day.
The only difference then was, the last-place team was assured of picking no worse than second in a draft that featured two so-called generational prospects in Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. Some Sabres' fans were so in favor of their team finishing last, Buffalo was booed when captain Brian Gionta tied it at 3 with 3:37 remaining. And some cheered when Sam Gagner scored 56 seconds into overtime of Arizona's 4-3 win.
Coyotes forward Brad Richardson didn't sign with Arizona until the following summer, but was aware of how Sabres fans responded.
''I think that's pretty sad, to be honest,'' Richardson told The Associated Press earlier in the day.
The Sabres finished last, but lost the draft lottery to Edmonton, which selected McDavid with the first pick.
The draft lottery rules have since been changed with the last-place team assured of picking no worse than fourth.
NOTES: Eichel played his 200th career game. ... Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet rejoined Arizona after spending the past few days in Toronto to attend mother Norma's funeral. She died last week at the age of 93 due to complications from brain cancer. ... Coyotes D Jason Demers did not play and will miss the remainder of the season with an upper body injury.
UP NEXT
Coyotes: Continue six-game road swing at Carolina on Thursday night.
Sabres: Close six-game homestand against Montreal on Friday night.
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