Arizona Coyotes Drop Another Close One To Panthers 3-2
The Arizona Coyotes are losing sight of the playoff race. They lost to the Florida Panthers on Thursday night despite goals from Shane Doan and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
2. 121. 3. 97. Final
The Arizona Coyotes can’t get over the hump and finish games. These last three losses have all but finished their playoff aspirations.
With must win written all over every matchup in this five game roadtrip, the Yotes have now found themselves 0 for 3 in the first three attempts.
One goal each night has separated the Coyotes from points in the standings, and an offense that almost always found a way for the first two-thirds of 2015-16 seems unable to find an answer on a nightly basis.
The Arizona Coyotes led early when ageless wonder Shane Doan scored his 23rd goal of the season.
It was an innocent enough shot after a simple zone-entry, but Roberto Luongo was completely baffled by it.
The Yotes gave up their own easy one late in the first when Vincent Trocheck was left all alone in the high slot and beat Louis Domingue. 1-1.
From there, young center Aleksander Barkov scored two goals – one in the second period, another in the third – to give the Panthers a 3-1 cushion.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson fired a laser past Luongo with a little under six minutes left in the third period to bring the Coyotes within one, 3-2.
Luongo and the Florida Panthers held on for the 3-2 victory on home ice.
Player Performance
Mikkel Boedker watch seems to be as never-ending as winter in Westeros. He had no shots on goal for the third straight game. It’s become increasingly clear how much this contract drama and potential trade is weighing on him. Don Maloney, please get this thing done one way or the other. It’s like watching a deer in headlights out there.
Shane Doan keeps scoring despite age, general fatigue, and lately a lack of much contribution from the majority of the team on most nights. The old man has been lucky, sure, but it’s hard to knock the example he sets. As much of the Arizona Coyotes’ roster wilts at the most crucial time, he keeps on scoring.
Martin Hanzal put four shots on net and did his best to drive play against the Panthers. He just couldn’t quite get it going.
Can anyone explain why Nicklas Grossmann is suiting up instead of Jarred Tinordi? I mean, the kid hasn’t exactly jumped off the ice but it’s hard to argue he’s been as bad as we’ve seen Grossmann be after the early part of this season. Grossmann is a goner at the trade deadline or in the offseason anyway…Tinordi is part of the future, potentially. Why aren’t we getting him minutes?
Arizona Coyotes Player of the Game
Oliver Ekman-Larsson his 18th goal of the season tonight and along with Doan seems to be attempting to will the Arizona Coyotes across the finish line. Unfortunately for the captains, most of those guys have gone ice cold.
One interesting note about OEL is that he was only on the ice for 22:10 tonight. That’s about three minutes lower than average.
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The View From The 200 Level
So the playoffs are out, now what? How about we get the kids in there and let them earn their stripes? Let’s start with sitting Grossmann for Tinordi.
Boedker needs to be dealt by Monday. It’s a black cloud hanging over him and the team and it’d be better if they did it sooner rather than later. With the return the Winnipeg Jets got for Andrew Ladd, general manager Don Maloney should be a little more likely to at least ring out a decent prospect or first round pick for Boeds.
It would help if Mikkel would at least show some sign of life this week.
The power play has now gone 2 for 16 in the past five games after going 2 for 4 against the Montreal Canadiens. That, as much as anything, is what is killing the Arizona Coyotes.
Next: Coyotes' Statistical Snapshot And Analysis Through 60 Games
Bad defensive coverage continues to be an issue as well, and it seems like four or five times a game Louis Domingue is having to stop an uncontested point blank attempt to save the Yotes’ bacon. It’s pretty scary to watch.
The Arizona Coyotes play the Flyers on Saturday morning at 11 AM.