GLENDALE, Ariz. — James Neal had a goal and an assist, Pekka Rinne stopped 31 shots for his NHL-best 19th win, and the Nashville Predators beat slumping Arizona 5-1 Thursday night in the Coyotes' eighth straight home loss.
Mike Fisher, Ryan Ellis, Calle Jarnkrok and Olli Jokinen also scored in the Predators' second consecutive win. Mike Ribeiro added his team-best 17th assist in a boo-filled return to Arizona following a summer contract buyout.
Antoine Vermette's goal early in the first period was the only blemish for Rinne, who improved to 19-5-1.
Mike Smith had 33 saves as Arizona extended its longest home skid since the team moved from Winnipeg in 1996. The Coyotes have lost four straight overall and nine of 11.
The Coyotes had several scoring chances thwarted by Rinne in the second period. After a sloppy start to the third, Nashville coach Peter Laviolette called his timeout.
His team quickly responded.
Jarnkrok knocked in a rebound at 2:43, then Jokinen scored his second goal of the season when the puck went off his skate and through a struggling Smith less than 3 minutes later to make it 5-1.
The Arizona goalie dropped to 5-14-2 as the Coyotes' nightmare season showed no sign of turning around. Arizona has been outscored 19-5 in its four-game skid.
