Arizona Coyotes Down Sharks In Final Pre-Season Tune-up
Arizona Coyotes fans were treated to a win Friday night over the San Jose Sharks. The contest featured a solid penalty kill, with several young Coyotes prospects vying for roster spots.
The Arizona Coyotes took on the visiting San Jose Sharks Friday night at Gila River Arena. It was the team’s final tune-up game before the start of the regular season.
The game featured several prospects looking to earn a place on the opening night roster. Dylan Strome, Laurent Dauphin, Lawson Crouse, Christian Fischer, and Jakob Chychrun were among the hopefuls.
Notable in his absence was Christian Dvorak, who has played very well during this pre-season. He reportedly is nursing a lower-body injury.
It’s likely he’s being cautious, and we’ll be hearing his name called next Saturday night at the home opener.
Newly re-signed forward Tobias Rieder also did not play, and should make his debut on opening night.
The game started in what has become a typical pre-season playbook for the Arizona Coyotes. The Sharks shot the puck past goalie Mike Smith on a crowded play in front of the net to put the Coyotes behind early in the opening minutes.
Former Coyote Mikkel Boedker and Logan Couture assisted Joonas Donskoi who stuck it past Smith for the early Sharks lead.
These early goals seem to the catalyst for putting needed pressure on the team. The Yotes quickly responded with offensive intensity that tied the score up at 1-to 1.
An Anthony Duclair shot bounced off Sharks goaltender Martin Jones, leading Anthony DeAngelo to pick it up and bury it for the tying goal.
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The Arizona Coyotes took the lead in the second period. Returning veteran winger Radim Vrbata squeezed an amazing shot between Jones and the near-side post.
Credit Vrbata for sneaking it in the net, utilizing space for the puck and not much else.
The shots on goal continued for the Sharks as they attempted to get back in the game. But Smith became a solid wall of sheet rock and didn’t let anything through.
Shot after shot was turned aside by the veteran netminder. He appeared energized by the initial Sharks goal and took it on himself to keep the scoring sheet clean for the rest of the game.
He didn’t provide many rebound opportunities. By the end, Smith looked more than ready to start the season.
The Arizona Coyotes defense also showed strength to start the third period, keeping the Sharks from getting a shot on goal for nearly ten minutes.
The team faced their biggest challenge later in the period. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jordan Martinook were both called for high-sticking within less than a minute.
This set up the Sharks on a 5-on-3 power play that would test the Coyotes defense.
The Sharks circulated the puck well, but shot after shot was turned aside by Smith. Eventually, the two-man advantage was neutralized.
Captain Shane Doan scored an empty netter with about ten seconds remaining in the game to ensure the win. The Arizona Coyotes finished the pre-season with a remarkable 5-1-2 record.
The improved blue-line seems to be making a huge difference for the Coyotes. Jakob Chychrun continues to show he can match up with the best forwards the NHL has to offer.
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Head Coach Dave Tippett will certainly have a hard decision to make when selecting the team’s final roster of blue-liners and forwards. Decisions could start to come quickly now that the pre-season has concluded.
Final cuts are due by Tuesday.
The Arizona Coyotes open the season on Saturday night, October 15th, at Gila River Arena against the Philadelphia Flyers.