Arizona Coyotes Take On Ottawa To Begin Marathon Six-Game Road Trip
Arizona Coyotes players begin the longest road trip of their 82-game season today, starting a challenging two weeks that will set the tone for the young team’s season.
The Arizona Coyotes play against the Ottawa Senators tonight in the first of a six-game tilt on the road that will give Head Coach Dave Tippett a read on his young team.
This east coast swing includes two games in Canada, three in the New York City area, and a finale in Philadelphia.
Let the marathon road test begin.
The team has not exactly been a road game success story in recent years. Last season, the Coyotes thrilled fans with a competitive start and exciting wins at Gila River Arena, only to implode on the road.
The Yotes are looking to turn that around this season, starting tonight.
This young team has something going for it that it didn’t have last year.
A deep roster.
Rookie centers Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak are interchangeable. They could see themselves swapped in and out of the lineup depending on their play.
This could have the effect of motivating each one to work extra hard for coveted ice time. Strome did not start in Saturday’s season opening win over the Philadelphia Flyers but will start in Ottawa.
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Defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who played in the home opener on Saturday night, will not suit up tonight as Kevin Connauton has returned from his injury. Michael Stone is said to be close to seeing ice time after rehabbing his knee all summer.
Stone made the trip with the team and could make his season debut anytime.
The Arizona Coyotes also have some luck on their side during this opening road trip.
A smooth schedule.
After a game in Ottawa tonight and in Montreal on Thursday, the team heads to the New York City area. They jump right into a Friday night contest against the Islanders in Brooklyn.
If they can weather the grind of playing Thursday and Friday, the schedule should benefit them for the remaining three games.
The Coyotes take on the Rangers on Sunday, and the Devils on Tuesday.
That will enable the team to stay put without the heavy burden of travel. They will have a day off between each game, before driving a couple of hours down to Philadelphia.
It’s that last game in Philly that could prove to be the most taxing.
The last two times the Coyotes have suited up against the Flyers have proven to be temperamental contests. These two teams just do not like one another.
In the Arizona Coyotes’ win over the Flyers in late March of last season, a rough third period left both teams bruised.
Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan and Flyers captain Claude Giroux both were knocked out of the game by big hits. Michael Stone tore his ACL and MCL, ending his season.
Saturday night’s contest saw the Coyotes and Flyers pick up right where they left off. Philly will be looking for revenge after losing to the Coyotes twice in a row.
After five games on the road, the Coyotes will be fortunate to escape Philly with a win. More important will be keeping all of the team’s players healthy during the contest.
Next: Dylan Strome Will Make NHL Debut Against Ottawa
Whatever happens during this road trip, look for Tippett and his staff to begin making some decisions on the team’s rookies when they get back home.
The Arizona Coyotes return to Gila River Arena to begin a three-game stretch on October 29th, when they take on the Colorado Avalanche.