Arizona Coyotes Are On Fire – Undefeated This New Season

Who would have thought that three games into a new season, (which many predicted wouldn’t be much better than last year) that the Arizona Coyotes would be undefeated – AND beat three top teams doing it?

The youthful emergence for the Arizona Coyotes has officially started. Well, it actually started when the first game started last Thursday in Los Angeles. There can be all kinds of excuses why the Kings weren’t ready to play, but you know what?

None of them matter. What matters in the NHL (like any professionals sports league) is WINNING. And, the Desert Dogs are doing that with exuberance, while methodically taking on playoff quality teams – and winning.

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Who are these guys?

Everyone keeps repeating the same question… who are these guys? They’re winners right now, that’s who they are. They are playing with energy and youthful enthusiasm.

When you look at the statistics for the Ducks games last night, you’ll wonder how the Arizona Coyotes won the game. The Ducks dominated in almost every category: Faceoffs – 56.5 per cent to 43.5 percent. Hits – 23 to 15. Shots – 37 to 29. The Arizona Coyotes were 1 for 6 on the power play, while the Ducks were held to 0 for 3.

It’s all about the Domi-Duclair connection

But, the story of this game was Anthony Duclair and Max Domi. On Duclair’s second goal, which was a power play goal, the speed of Domi made the play. He just knows Duclair’s moves, and where he’ll be to make a pass to him. Having Hanzal, Domi, Duclair, and OEL on the point is one potent power play to say the least. With that kind of fire power, the other players will get less attention, and can get open much easier.

Most Arizona Coyotes fans were hopeful that the youthful prospects would blend in and produce eventually – but in the first three games? That is a pleasant, unexpected surprise.

Then, with the offensive explosion from the Dynamic Duo, the goaltending was exceptional again. Smith, with a shutout (his 28^th career) was not even recognized as one of the three stars of the game, which is ridiculous.

The local press voted Duclair as the first star, Domi as the second, and Hampus Lindholm as the third star. How the third star doesn’t go to Smith instead of a Duck player whose team got shut out — is a mystery.

Can they keep this going?

Mike Smith really has turned things around, I mean in a HUGE fashion. He is 3-0, 1 shutout, his GAA is a sparkling 0.67 and his save percentage is as close to perfect as it gets with a .981. Granted it’s still early, but those numbers are not a bad way to start out the season for any goalie.

But, all that really matters is that the Arizona Coyotes are 3-0 for the best start of the season since the 2003-04 season. And, the word is spreading that the team is off to such a terrific start. Even Tyson Nash, who does the TV broadcasts for FOX Sports AZ mentioned on the broadcast that he is being asked about the team a lot of late.

See, when a team turns things around so dramatically, people pay attention. The fans in Arizona have endured quite a bit of disappointment on and off the ice recently, and this is a refreshing ray of light that this team can, and will be much better this season.

Would you bet against a Max Domi, or Anthony Duclair, or Martin Hanzal, or most all, Mike Smith the way they’re all playing?

I wouldn’t…

Next: Arizona Coyotes Future Center – Dylan Strome

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