The Arizona Coyotes headed to Columbus to attempt to avenge their poor performance on Saturday night in the second half of a home-and-home series.
The Arizona Coyotes played a better game on Monday night in Columbus.
Better is a relative term.
The team hung steady with the Blue Jackets for the first two periods, but the third period saw the game get away from them once again.
It also saw Arizona’s goal differential continue to fall to -19 on the season, good for second worst in the NHL.
Tobias Rieder got the scoring started for the Yotes in the first period.
The goal saw rare footage of vintage Alex Goligoski as he found Rieder streaking down the slot for a wide open go al.
After that, at least on the scoreboard, things turned dark.
Former Arizona Coyotes player Sam Gagner scored four points on the night to put the Yotes away.
He tied it up in the first period and scored the Blue Jacket’s third goal in the third period.
Gagner also assisted on Nick Foligno’s and Zach Werenski’s goals.
As if it could go any other way.
Yotes lose 4-1.
Arizona Coyotes Player of the Game
Tobi Rieder for scoring the goal? Brendan Perlini for having a good but goal-less debut?
There weren’t a lot of positives. We’ve been saying that a lot lately.
The View From The 200 Level
Martin Hanzal had six penalty minutes. Lawson Crouse had four.
The Arizona Coyotes gave up six power play opportunities and had just one of their own.
That is not a recipe for success.
Louis Domingue continues to prove that his ceiling is likely decent to very good NHL backup instead of potential NHL starter due to inconsistency. Also, how many more ways can Louis be interfered with or have strange things happen to him? He’s really ran the gamut in the past two seasons.
Brendan Perlini had a pretty decent night in his debut. He had a lot of jump in his game, and even the penalty he took was due to him being a little over-eager instead of the lack of fire we have seen from several of the other forwards.
Ultimately, the excessive penalties and CBJ’s potent power play killed Arizona.
When you’re already struggling to generate offense, you can’t voluntarily put yourself in an even bigger hole.
Next: Diamonds In The Rough During Coyotes' Rough Start
After another dismal night in Columbus, the boys head to the United Center for a date with the Western Conference leading Chicago Blackhawks.
Despite the poor season thus far, I’m willing to bet there will be some excitement to be had tomorrow night.