The Arizona Coyotes continue on their Canadian road trip this evening with a stop in Vancouver to take on the Canucks. The Vancouver Canucks are currently 12-5-0 this season while the Coyotes fall to 6-9-1 after last night’s loss to Calgary.
Here are your three keys to the game:
1) Quick Shifts and Fresh Legs:
Back to back road games are extremely tough and can take a toll on the players. The Coyotes gave it their all last night and ended up falling a bit short in Calgary but they need to put that behind them. Even though they played last night, the team needs to come out and attack early in this game against the Canucks. Show the opposing players that you are not tired at all and you can push the pace. To do this, communication from the bench to the ice needs to be spot on. Tippett needs to coordinate shifts and change players regularly so fresh legs are out on the ice to skate with Vancouver’s superstars.
2) Give Vitale More:
Joe Vitale has proven to the team and the fans that he wants to win. As a player who is designed to operate in a fourth line role, Vitale is quickly proving he can do it all. The past few games we have seen fights, goals, and a tight forecheck coming from #14 that greatly impacts the game itself. I would like to see Tippett reward his hard work, initiative, and drive by giving him more ice time. The scrapper that is Joe Vitale is an asset that the Arizona Coyotes need to utilize more often.
3) Increase Time on Attack and Cycle the Puck:
It seemed like the majority of last night’s game against Calgary was played entirely in the Coyotes own zone. This does not need to be a trend. This gives opposing teams more scoring chances that eventually will convert in to goals. The Coyotes need to have a more aggressive forecheck and possess the puck a little better than they have been. Maintain possession and then continue to cycle the puck in the offensive zone. Dumping pucks deep is effective to bring a new line on the ice but if the Coyotes are unable to win the board battle, it is essentially giving the puck back to the opposition. Cycle the puck, utilize the area behind the net, and trust the point men. The scoring chances will be there.