NHL: Phoenix 3, Edmonton 2

Ilya Bryzgalov carried a shutout into the third period Thursday and made 26 saves in preserving a 3-2 Phoenix Coyotes victory over Edmonton.

The Coyotes, who are in next-to-last place in the Western Conference, dealt Edmonton’s playoff hopes a blow by building a 3-0 lead and hanging on during the third period.

Edmonton slipped out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West, having been replaced by Nashville. Both the Oilers and St. Louis Blues are a point behind Nashville in a playoff race that will likely go down to the final game.

Matthew Lombardi opened the scoring 3:42 into the game and Phoenix got second-period goals from Ken Klee and Martin Hanzal. The goal for Klee was his first of the season in 35 games.

Bryzgalov bounced back from one of his many poor outings this year. He took the loss in a 6-2 setback against Anaheim Sunday, the sixth time this season he has allowed six or more goals.