Arizona Coyotes At Anaheim Ducks Keys To The Game

Key #1: Cycle the puck and condense tighter on the power-play

Sep 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Max Domi (16) shoots the puck in the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes power-play has changed drastically coming in to the new season. Last year’s power-play numbers were not terrible, but it is always an area of focus that can be improved. The Arizona Coyotes finished the 2014-2015 season seventh in the league with a 20.0 power-play percentage. This year, they are currently 0 for 7 on the advantage.

The Coyotes have a few new faces on the power-play this season. The main man-advantage line consists of Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, Martin Hanzal, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Mikkel Boedker.

Head Coach Dave Tippett would then send Tobias Rieder and Shane Doan out there to give Domi and Duclair a rest. Mikkel Boedker has been put in charge of running the point on the man-advantage.

Going 0 for 7 on the power-play with this lineup seems mind-boggling. Martin Hanzal is doing his duty by setting the screen in front of the goaltender, while others desperately search for an open shooting lane.

Mikkel Boedker needs to come off the blue-line a bit to condense the play towards the net. His sniping abilities in that middle shooting lane would be of better use a lot closer than that far out.

The Arizona Coyotes will need to do a better job of cycling the puck while they condense. Players on the wings (such as Domi, Ekman-Larsson, and Duclair) need to be more patient in finding their shot. That extra second to find the open shooting lane will lead to more scoring chances.

Next: Key Number 2

Key #2: Disrupt the opponent’s shooting lane

Oct 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (right) reacts after contact with Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in the third period during the home opener at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes defeated the Penguins 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes did not do a good job limiting their opponent’s scoring chances in their season opener. The Los Angeles Kings were able to put 41 shots on Mike Smith last Friday. Luckily for the Coyotes, Mike Smith was able to stop 40 of those for the win. The Coyotes improved from their game against the Kings, as the Pittsburgh Penguins managed 28 shots this past Saturday.

Puck Prose

The Anaheim Ducks have only scored once in their first two games, so they will be not be hesitant in shooting the puck Wednesday night. Mike Smith can not be looked upon to bail this team out every single game. The defensive core will need to do their part in disrupting both the shooting and passing lanes of the Anaheim Ducks.

Zbynek Michalek is expected to play which is huge for the defense. The entire team can improve on their shot blocking numbers going into their match-up with the Ducks. The Arizona Coyotes registered 10 blocked shots against the Kings and 11 against the Penguins.

The team will be looking to Michael Stone, Zbynek Michalek, and Connor Murphy to throw their bodies out on the line. All three players ranked in the top fifty in the NHL in blocked shots last season. Stone was 5th with 189, Michalek was 18th with 160, and Murphy was 26th with 142. The addition of Nicklas Grossmann has helped the team out in this category too.

Next: Key Number Three

Key #3: Feed the young-guns the puck

Oct 2, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Anthony Duclair (10) defends during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest surprises so far has been the play of the younger players on the Arizona Coyotes. The “young-gun” category of this team refers to Oliver Ekman-Larsson (age 24), Max Domi (age 20), Mikkel Boedker (age 25), Tobias Rieder (age 22), and Anthony Duclair (age 20).

All five of these players have impressed everyone so far and should be given a bigger role with the team. The fans have been patiently waiting for Max Domi and he has yet to disappoint. In his first two career games, Max has already tallied a goal and an assist. Domi has shown that he is not afraid to shoot the puck either. His size has not been a liability so far.

Oct 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Max Domi (16) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the home opener at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes defeated the Penguins 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Duclair has shown promise ever since he arrived from the Keith Yandle trade. Duclair already has two assists to start out the 2015-2016 NHL season. The most attractive feature that Duclair possesses is his awareness. He constantly has his head up looking for his teammates. That number in the assist column will grow even more as the season rolls on.

Tobias Rieder has shown that the sophomore slump is nonexistent with his performance so far. Rieder has been the most productive Coyote this season with two goals and one assist. He currently ties Martin Hanzal for most points on the squad. Tobias Rieder came off a successful rookie season last year, scoring 13 goals and 8 assists. He manages to find a way to score from every angle of the ice.

All of the guys mentioned above have proven themselves early. As a result it is necessary to give them a few more minutes of ice-time against the Anaheim Ducks.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Line Combinations Working Well

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