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