Arizona Coyotes: Disturbing Lack Of Offense In The Midst Of Four Game Losing Streak
The Arizona Coyotes are now in the midst of a four game losing streak. The offense is sputtering and special teams are not clicking. Is this an inevitable speed bump, or a sign of troubled times ahead?
The Arizona Coyotes have had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad second half to this seven game homestand.
After starting their longest stretch of the year at Gila River Arena with a 2-0-1 record, they have lost the next three and are in danger of finishing the homestand in the red after looking like they’d breeze right through it.
The cause varies from game to game, but the slide truly began with the Coyotes’ sudden inability to kill penalties. From there, the league’s 7th ranked goal-scoring offense became abruptly unable to find the net in a 2-0 loss to New Jersey that they completely dominated on every front but the scoreboard.
Now, the residue of that game seems to linger on every offensive chance the Arizona Coyotes receive.
Shanking and flubbing pucks, overpassing, sticks gripped too tight…whatever cliche or complaint you can think of, the team has likely exhibited it or appeared to in the past three or four contests.
The Coyotes have scored 124 goals and allowed 138 goals thus far in 2015-16. Typically, that is not a recipe for making the playoffs.
They are one of just four total teams in a playoff position to be a net negative in goals on the season (Vancouver, Detroit, New Jersey). Only the Vancouver Canucks have a worse goal differential than the Arizona Coyotes among those teams and that is only a one goal difference.
Saturday night the Yotes get a chance to face off with their division rivals from Los Angeles.
They need to find their goal-scoring touch or risk continuing their precipitous fall in the standings.
About Last Night
Arizona Coyotes thwarted by San Jose Sharks, Lose 3-1 [Howlin’ Hockey]
Coyotes offense struggles in loss to Sharks [AZCentral – Sarah McLellan]
Arizona Coyotes’ offense shows up late in 3-1 loss to San Jose Sharks [Five For Howling – Brendan Porter]
"#TinordiWatch continues as he and Kevin Connauton sat in favor of Klas Dahlbeck."
Coyotes Talk
Coyotes Offensive Woes Boil Down to Execution [Today’s Slapshot – Cat Silverman]
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"After scoring eight goals across two games, the Coyotes have only scored four goals in the subsequent four contests."
Coyotes happy for John Scott despite lack of All-Star rep [AZCentral – Sarah McLellan]
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"For whatever reason, the Coyotes’ start was as dreadful as most of their efforts from last season. Turning the puck over constantly above the face-off circles to their blue line, the Sharks took advantage and dictated, what Tippett likes to call “the pace of the game.”"
Coyotes’ penalty killing unit ineffective, unlucky [Today’s Slapshot – Craig Morgan]
"“Our save percentage on the PK is not as good as it should be or not as good as it needs to be,” Tippett said. “That’s not just Louis, that’s all three of our goaltenders.”"
Around The NHL
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"But mostly we’re really, really upset for the NHL assistant coaches that have worked hard all year to earn a place on an All-Star Game coaching staff."
Next: Coyotes Player Grades For The Past Week
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"Whalers merchandise was reintroduced in 2009 and has reportedly become Reebok’s top seller among defunct NHL teams. The team’s merch has even been championed by a number of celebrities, most notably comedian John Hodgman."