Coyotes lead Avalanche after two periods

The Arizona Coyotes are fighting for their first win over the Avalanche in their playoff series.

After two periods, the Coyotes lead 2-1.

The Coyotes struck first at 6:29 of the first period when center Derek Stepan fired one past Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz in the opening frame. Clayton Keller thwarted a Colorado clearing attempt and dished a give-and-go with Taylor Hall which preceded a Keller pass from the side of the net that found Stepan in front.

Still, the Avalanche got its licks in the opening period, registering 20 shots on Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who broke his own franchise postseason record for most saves in a single postseason period. Kuemper had previously…