Arizona Coyotes Try To Play Spoiler In Tinseltown

The L.A. Kings Are Fighting For a Playoff Spot… The Arizona Coyotes Are Not

The L.A. Kings are just one point out of a wild-card spot for the Western Conference playoffs with a game in hand on the Winnipeg Jets, whom they trail. The Kings have been on a tear of late, including an eight game winning streak from 2-7-15 to 2-24-15. They have accumulated 25 points in their last 17 games, and seem to have started their amazing stretch run they have shown in the past heading into the playoffs.

More from Coyotes News

Their schedule could show the true character of a team who has won two Cups in the last three years. In the remaining 14 games, nine are on the road, including a road trip which includes: Devils, Rangers, Islanders, Wild, and Blackhawks. They don’t have too many easy opponents, and their fortitude will be tested. They have lost Alec Martinez to injury, and still are not an offensive juggernaut, depending on strong defense and goaltending.

Because this is the third consecutive season that the Arizona Coyotes have missed the playoffs, all that is left to prove for them is individual players trying to stay on the team, or get their contracts renewed. Players like Mikkel Boedker who was having a reasonably good season, only to fall prey to an injury to his spleen, causing him to miss the rest of the season — will be looking to negotiate a new contract with GM Don Maloney over the off season.

Live Feed

Looking back at the Blackhawks' trades involving Andrew Ladd /

Puck Prose

Three players the Arizona Coyotes should trade this seasonPuck Prose

The Bouch bomb is locked and loadedOil On Whyte

NHL 24: Predicting the highest rated players at every positionApp Trigger

Extending André Tourigny is the right move for the Arizona CoyotesPuck Prose

How Tough Will The Central Division Be For The Hawks?Blackhawk Up

Then, there is the evaluation of the players picked up off waivers: Chamberlain, McGinn, and Arcobello. Along with the players who were rumored to be gone at the trade deadline, and still remain on the team: Moss, Erat, and Crombeen.

Let’s face it — this team will look entirely different next season. They need a solid blue-liner to help out the young D-men presently doing on the job training. They hope that their offense will improve noticeably with the addition of Max Domi, and Andrew Duclair acquired in the Keith Yandle trade.

They also must consider what to do about their weak goaltending. The year Mike Smith has had is not going to be remembered as his best. I’m sure he would rather forget about it and move on. Whether he snaps out of his funk or not, the goaltending position must be addressed to get this team back to a competitive position and back in the playoffs. The future of the team remaining in Phoenix depends on it. A team faltering like it did this season will not bring additional fans to the Gila River Arena, and even with a new owner you can’t continue to lose money on a team not performing. It will be intriguing to see how management handles all these challenges.

As far as the game tonight, these two team do not like each other. I’m not particularly fond of the way they play. Dustin Brown is not having a good season this go around, and let’s just say I feel for him, but I just can’t reach him. His play at times borders along the lines of hitting below the belt. And, don’t even get me started on Jordan Nolan… his skills are well — what skills? The guy is out to reek havoc, and goon it up.. all teams have a guy like that. There’s a difference between being tough, and playing dirty.

Like I said… don’t get me started !!

I expect it will be a good, competitive game. The Kings have everything to lose, and the Arizona Coyotes should be loose, and have fun. This game like the remaining games for the Arizona Coyotes will be to focus on the young players development, and the evaluation of the new players like Dahlbeck, and Moore.

I’ll be watching the game, will you?

Next: Daily Haterade- Jordan Nolan: Cheapshot Specialist

More from Howlin' Hockey

Home/Coyotes News