Arizona Coyotes Line Combinations Working Well

The Arizona Coyotes have found some good chemistry on their forward lines.

No one knows better than Arizona Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett that line-mates must almost read each other’s mind to know where to pass the puck, or adjust to the various moves every player makes. It seems in this early 2015-16 season that the coach has found some gold in them there hills.

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Line breakdown

The first line consists of Vermette, Boedker and Domi. The second line has Hanzal, Rieder, and Duclair. The third line consists of Chipchura, Richardson, and Doan; the fourth line is made up of Gordon, Downie, and Martinook and is known as the checking line.

Line statistics

Leading the Arizona Coyotes pack in scoring is the Hanzal line, and it’s not even close. Toby Rieder has three points (2g, 1a), Martin Hanzal has three points (0g, 3a). Newcomer Anthony Duclair has two points on two assists, one of which was in the highlight reel category when he went behind the Pittsburgh net and laced a perfect pace on Toby Rieder’s blade – who snapped a shot past Marc-Andre Fleury.

The Gordon fourth line is next in scoring showing three points, with Martinook who netted the game winner Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins the lone goal scorer. Gordon and Downie each have one assist. So, in two games the Arizona Coyotes had two different young players score their first NHL goal, in Domi and Martinook.

The Vermette first line has just two points and they belong to rookie sensation Max Domi. Domi collected his first goal in his first NHL game with the Arizona Coyotes against the Los Angeles Kings last Friday night.

Holding down the bottom position in line scoring is the third Chipchura line. Although this line is scrappy, and gets in the opponent’s face…they are scoreless thus far.

The chemistry between line-mates seems to be working great. Take for instance the Hanzal line. Their Corsi rating leads the team with Duclair coming in at 72.4. Rieder has a 61.1, and Hanzal has 55.8. So, when this line is on the ice they control the puck more than any other line. And, you know what they say… you can’t score without the puck — and if you have possession the other team can’t score.

With that said, the bottom Chipchura line is dead last in Corsi rating. Richardson has a 33.3. Doan is at 30.8, and Chipchura is on the bottom with 30.6, which is also the worst rating for the entire team.

Roster changes?

Let’s talk about Kyle Chipchura. With John Scott being waived, and clearing waivers, the team enforcer job may fall to Chipchura when Scott gets re-assigned to Springfield in the AHL. It’s just a matter of time. Although Chipchura’s play is less than stellar, he may by default, keep his roster spot. When Scott gets re-assigned, it will give Head Coach Dave Tippett a chance to bring up Henrik Samuelsson, Lucas Lessio, or Matthias Plachta from Springfield.

Domi-Duclair connection

Although many fans including yours truly, were anticipating the Domi-Duclair line chemistry, that may not happen until they both have a bit more experience. They have been out there on the power play together, and they can show their magic on that unit. It doesn’t make any sense to break up the obvious chemistry which has transpired on the Hanzal line.

The talent on the Vermette line will start clicking in soon. With the speed and finesse of Boedker and Domi, and the veteran savvy of Vermette, that line will produce.

If any team can put two quality forward lines on the ice, they have a good shot at being a team who can make some noise.

Next up, we will analyze how the defense and goaltending are doing.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Have Uphill Climb To Respectability

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