Ekman-Larsson Becomes 4th Coyotes Defenseman to Score 20 Goals

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored his 20th goal of the season in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, making him just the fourth blueliner in franchise history to tally 20 or more goals in a single season, per Coyotes Media Relations Coordinator Greg Dillard.

The milestone goal was rather impressive, with the 23-year-old Swede taking the puck coast-to-coast and then putting his own rebound past Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom to tie the game at 1-1 in the first period. It was actually the second rebound that Ekman-Larsson sneaked in, as he was credited with three shots on goal for the impressive sequence.

Of course, his solo effort wasn't enough to snap the Coyotes' losing streak, which now stands at an NHL-worst eight games.

Arizona has dropped to the bottom of the Western Conference standings, conveniently making a push for the NHL's worst record as a loaded draft approaches.

Having picked up a mere three points from their last 19 games, the Coyotes have just 50 points through 73 contests, while the Buffalo Sabres have 47 points through 72 games.

It once seemed a sure thing that either the Sabres or Edmonton Oilers would finish with the NHL's worst record, but the Coyotes have made a surprising late push, thanks in no part to Ekman-Larsson.

In addition to being the fourth defenseman in franchise history with 20 goals in a season, the Swede is the first to accomplish that feat since the team moved to Arizona in 1996, per Sarah McLellan of The Arizona Republic.