The Coyotes debuted in the Valley after relocating from Winnipeg with a convincing win over the Sharks, but they didn’t have the same fortune Saturday when they welcomed San Jose back for their 20th anniversary celebration.
With former greats like Keith Tkachuk and Teppo Numminen in attendance and the team’s original Kachina-style jersey on display, the Coyotes were upended 4-1 in front of 17,446 at Gila River Arena.
San Jose backup Aaron Dell, in his 12th appearance this season, gobbled almost every shot amid a 36-save showing, while Mike Smith had 29 stops for the Coyotes.