Arizona Coyotes 2014-2015 Preview: Arizona Coyotes vs Washington Capitals
Second Shift: Facing Off
Nov 9, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) and Washington Capitals defenseman Alexander Urbom (34) fight for the puck during the third period at Jobing.com Arena. The Coyotes defeated the Capitals 4-3 in the overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
HH: The Coyotes and Caps split their season series last season, Will that happen again?
DS: I think it could happen this year because it’s always tough to play the Coyotes at home.
RF: These teams always seem to put on good hockey games and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them split the series again. It will honestly come down to goaltending- but if the goaltender makes or breaks the game, then I like Mike Smith better against tougher competition.
HH: Who has the upper hand in Shootouts between the Coyotes and Capitals?
DS: I don’t think Braden Holtby would be the one in goal for the Caps- his aggressive style of play does not usually play well in shootouts. The Capitals usually sent in the backup goalie for shootouts when Holtby was starting, and I have no idea how good Justin Peters is at shootouts.
On the other hand, the Capitals have several players who are good at shootouts. Also, the Capitals have a wild card: Mitch Korn. Korn is famous for helping develop Hasek, and for solving the enigma that was Tomas Vokoun. Korn could be the best thing to happen to Holtby’s career, as he finally has an accomplished goalie coach.
In the end, however, I think Mike Smith would be more likely to pull off the win. His style of play is better suited for shootouts than Holtby’s.
RF: Shootouts are honestly kind of a crap shoot if you ask me. Going off the numbers from last season, the Caps have the edge in shootouts. They had 10 shootout wins last season, top in the entire NHL. However, in terms of shooting percentage, the teams were essentially even. The Coyotes came in at 32.6 percent while the caps came in at 33.8 percent. The Coyotes also had the edge in shootout save percentage at .673 to .641.
“However in terms of shooting percentage the teams were essentially even. The Coyotes came in at 32.6 percent while the caps came in at 33.8 percent. The Coyotes also had the edge in shootout save percentage at .673 to .641.”
The difference for me though is the loss of Radim Vrbata. He was an absolute joy to watch in shootouts with his patented backhand topshelf move. Boedker could pick up the slack left by Verbie- they both led the team with five shootout goals last season- but i don’t see that happening. I have to give this one to the Caps.