Thomas Greiss stopped all three New Jersey shootout attempts and Mikkel Boedker scored on Phoenix's first try as the Coyotes defeated the Devils 3-2 Thursday night to give them a little more breathing room in the race for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

Jaromir Jagr, New Jersey Devils
Jaromir Jagr of the New Jersey Devils is checked by Michael Stone of the Phoenix Coyotes at the Prudential Center in Newark. (Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
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The Coyotes got five of six possible points on their three-game road trip and opened a five-point lead over idle Dallas in the race for the No. 8 spot. Their only loss was in overtime to the Rangers, and they posted wins over Pittsburgh and New Jersey with Greiss playing for injured No. 1 goalie Mike Smith.

Kyle Chipchura and Chris Summers scored for the Coyotes and Greiss made 26 saves, including two outstanding stops of Patrik Elias in the 5-minute overtime. He stopped Damien Brunner, Ryane Clowe and Elias in the shootout.

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