Devils recover from poor start, beat Coyotes 4-1

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Mike Cammalleri scored his 25th goal in a three-goal third period, Cory Schneider stopped 30 shots and the New Jersey Devils beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-1 Saturday night to avoid a winless road trip.

Jordin Tootoo had a goal and an assist, and Adam Henrique and Stephen Gionta also scored for the Devils, who needed to ride their goaltender to withstand a miserable start in which they were being outshot 21-7 midway through the second period.

After Shane Doan's first goal in 15 games cut Arizona's lead to 2-1 early in the third period, Tootoo poked in a rebound 20 seconds later to put it away.

Cammalleri beat Mike Smith on another rebound 3 minutes later.

Smith stopped 25 shots for the Coyotes, who have dropped four straight and 14 of 15.

With their playoff hopes bleak, the Devils were without center Patrik Elias. He left practice a day earlier with lingering back spasms.

It gave Michael Ryder a chance to play for the first time since Feb. 28. He skated on the right wing with Dainius Zubrus and Stephen Gionta.

But with general manager Lou Lamoriello back behind the bench, the Devils couldn't muster much offense early. The Devils were even outshot 3-1 on their first two power plays, with Schneider making a stop on Joe Vitale's breakaway.

The game was befitting of clubs ranked 28th and 29th in scoring, with the first goal coming thanks to an odd carom.

Travis Zajac's wild shot went high off the glass behind the goal, then bounced to Henrique's stick in front of the net. The puck never hit the ice as Henrique scored his 15th of the season.

Arizona, depleted from multiple trades that have drained the roster of talent in an eye for the future, wilted in the final period.

But for the Coyotes, losing may be good. They remained six points behind Buffalo and two behind 29th place Edmonton for the worst record in the NHL. That team would get the best chance to win the lottery with a chance to draft top prospects Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson played for Arizona after being a game-time decision with an upper-body injury. The defenseman was hurt on Thursday on a hit by Chicago's Joakim Nordstrom that earned him a two-game suspension.

NOTES: Smith fell down when he collided with Tootoo behind the net 2:45 into the game. B.J. Crombeen immediately went after Tootoo, leading to a lengthy fight. Tootoo received the extra roughing penalty. . Cammalleri served as Devils assistant captain with Elias out. . Ekman-Larsson has played in every game this season. He missed two in 2013-14.

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