Adam’s Three Keys to the Game: St. Louis Blues at Arizona Coyotes

The Coyotes are geared up and ready to go after an electrifying night against the Edmonton Oilers last Wednesday. After a solid two days of rest, the Arizona Coyotes have the determined mindset to keep pushing forward towards their overall goal of sending Lord Stanley to the desert. Tonight the St. Louis Blues come to town after their 1-0 loss against Los Angeles on Thursday in an attempt to disrupt the winning momentum that the Coyotes have recently obtained. The Arizona Coyotes are riding on a two game winning streak and would like to make it three tonight.

Here are your three keys to the game for the matchup between the St. Louis Blues (1-1-1) and the Arizona Coyotes (2-1-0):

1) Momentum and Home Ice:

This will be the Arizona’s fourth home game in a row as the Coyotes have yet to leave the state of Arizona for a game this season. These are critical points to obtain as home ice advantage is something only to benefit from. Along with home ice, the Coyotes have won their last two games in a row. By definition, that is a win streak. The boys will need to ride that momentum, trust each other, and feed off the electricity of the crowd at Gila River Arena to send St. Louis home with a loss.

2) It’s Not Miller Time:

That’s right, Ryan Miller’s time in St. Louis is a thing of the past as the Team USA goaltender only suited up for 19 games before joining the Vancouver Canucks in the summer. Why am I stressing a former goaltender from St. Louis? Well in Miller’s career he has never lost to the Coyotes. Ryan Miller is 7-0-0 against the desert dogs with a 1.27 goals against average and a .958 save percentage. Those numbers are scary and we won’t have to worry about those until the Coyotes take on Vancouver. St. Louis has elected to sit Brian Elliott and go with their backup Jake Allen tonight against the Coyotes. Allen has only played two games against the Coyotes and has managed to win both of them. While his 1.50 goals against average and .944 save percentage against Arizona is impressive; I am yet to be convinced that he will be a threat tonight for the Coyotes.

3) Boedker is Hungry…Feed Him:

Ride the hot stick that belongs to Mikkel Boedker. Number 89 has shot out of a cannon to start this season as he already has six points in only three games. His hat trick Wednesday night against Edmonton gave him goals number three, four, and five on the year and he is only looking for more. While it is still very early, Boedker has made a name for himself as one of the top offensive players in the league. Do not be surprised if he lights up the score sheet with a goal and an assist tonight against the St. Louis Blues.