Mar 14, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Jordin Tootoo (20) skates into Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) in the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
- Game Six: Arizona Coyotes at New Jersey Devils October 20, 2015
The Arizona Coyotes faced the New Jersey Devils twice last season, losing both contests. The Devils finished 7th in the Metropolitan Division, and did not qualify for the post season. They did however, do much better than the Arizona Coyotes did by accumulating 78 points to the Desert Dogs 56. Many are not predicting the Devils to even do that well this season. Many are calling them a lottery team, just like they have described the 3-2 Coyotes.
The Devils so far are playing as predicted, but the Arizona Coyotes are not. The Devils have just three points, sporting a 1-3-1 record, after defeating the New York Rangers in overtime, for their first win on 10-18-15. Former Coyotes Lee Stempniak tallied the winner, giving rookie Devils coach John Hynes his first NHL win.
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The Arizona Coyotes will head out on a five game eastern swing road trip, with this game the initial test. The Coyotes won their first three games being powered mostly by new young prospects Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. Second year pro Tobias Rieder has also scored three goals, and in the first three games Mike Smith was like a super hero stopping everything in his sight. Then, the following two games he played similar to last season, with little defensive support, and with 67 shots thrown at him, he was bounced around like a pinball machine.
Hopefully, the Arizona Coyotes will regroup against a fairly weak New Jersey team to come out on top in this one. The last game showed that someone else can provide some offense when captain Shane Doan collected a goal and two assist, and Kyle Chipchura chipped in the tying goal in a losing effort against the Bruins, who peppered Smith with 43 shots.
If the Arizona Coyotes can play better defense, and get their weak power play going they have a shot in this game. They’ve also given up three short-handed goals, which is not a good statistic.
Prediction: Arizona Coyotes 4, New Jersey Devils 2
Next: Game Seven: New York Rangers