Arizona Coyotes: Louis Domingue Puts Coyotes On His Back In Minnesota

Last night the Arizona Coyotes managed to sneak out of Minnesota with a 2-1 shootout win thanks in large part to the incredible play of rookie goaltender Louis Domingue. Domingue saved 34 of 35 shots and now sports a .931 save percentage after 16 games with the Coyotes.

The Arizona Coyotes have pulled a lot of wins out of nothing in the 2015-16 season.

The numbers behind their play paint the picture of a below average team in most every respect, yet they keep winning in spite of their flaws.

The biggest reason they hang in these games? Rookie goalie Louis Domingue.

If the first third of the 2015-16 season was highlighted by the Arizona Coyotes outscoring opponents (because they had to), the second third of the season has been a case study on what consistent goaltending can do for a young team’s confidence and ability to win.

You cannot sustain a playoff push with your goalies managing a .901 (Mike Smith) and .892 (Anders Lindback) save percentage, particularly not when the league average is now up to a whopping .917 save percentage.

A patchwork team of young forwards and aging veterans cannot be expected to flutter so close to three goals scored per game, either. But when your goalie can keep the opponent from scoring more than two goals in most of his outings? That’s a recipe for success.

Domingue has now played in 16 games this season and has a .931 save percentage. He’s played 23 games in his NHL career and has a .926 save percentage in total for that span.

As the games continue to count upwards for Louis, the concerns about sustainability and whether or not this success is a flash in the pan diminish.

With Domingue entering restricted free agency this season, it seems like a certainty that he’ll be wearing an Arizona Coyotes jersey full time next season on that coveted one-way contract he was so eager for this past offseason.

Whether he’s the starter or the backup once Mike Smith returns remains a mystery, but comparing the body of work for the two goalies this season provides a clear eyed view of the situation.

About Last Night

Arizona Coyotes Score Late, Manage 2-1 Shootout Win Against Wild [Howlin’ Hockey]

"There can be no other. This game was all about Louis Domingue. His steady play has backstopped his team into playoff contention deep in January, and tonight his stellar work in net kept the Coyotes in the game just long enough for the hockey gods to smile upon them.34 saves on the night, plus three in the shootout. Lou-indeed."

Coyotes Talk

Arizona Coyotes Player Grades For Week 16 [Howlin’ Hockey]

"Why Rieder, you ask? The Arizona Coyotes have exactly three players who have a 5-on-5 Corsi For percentage higher than 50%. That is correct, only three Coyotes players who have played more than 10 games generate more shots than they give up every night on the ice. And Rieder has the highest percentage of them all."

A Look Back: The Arizona Coyotes Draft History [Along The Boards – Sarah Hall]

"Typically when you look at the draft history of your favorite team, it should give you hope. However … sometimes it gives you the feeling that all hope is lost."

Work ethic helping Arizona Coyotes’ third line deliver offensively [AZCentral – Sarah McLellan]

"“They work. They’re all-in on the work,” coach Dave Tippett said. “ … They’ve got enough skill where they can make things happen, but you watch their goals that they score are usually from physically beating somebody or creating a turnover from getting on top of people. A lot of their goals come just around the crease.”"

Around The NHL

What We Learned: Why Pekka Rinne has been awful this season [Puck Daddy – Ryan Lambert]

"But Rinne’s .904 is killing them. The league average save percentage so far this season is an insane .916, meaning Rinne is pretty far below. The Predators don’t give up a lot of shots on goal, so the fact that he’s only faced 1,047 in 40 appearances is helpful in limiting the impact his disastrous play has had. But mathematically, that still means he’s cost his team 12 goals versus the league average, which is roughly the equivalent of a little more than four points in the standings."

Next: Arizona Coyotes Top Five Goaltenders Of All Time

Report: Panthers sign forward Barkov to six-year extension [Sportsnet.ca – Jeff Simmons]

German Teams Have World Record 27-Round Shootout [The Hockey Writers – Dustin L. Nelson]

KHL mascot loses head on breakaway, plushies brawl at All-Star Game [Puck Daddy – Greg Wyshynski]

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