Arizona Coyotes Games 14 Thru 17 Predictions
Here are the Editor’s Predictions for this week’s Arizona Coyotes games
Oct 14, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Anthony Duclair (10) is defended by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
- Game 14: Arizona Coyotes at Anaheim Ducks, November 9, 2015
The Arizona Coyotes Anthony Duclair will be aspiring to duplicate his outstanding performance in only his second game as a Coyote when he scored his first career hat trick in the Desert Dogs 4-0 impressive victory against the Ducks last month.
Duclair will be especially pleased that his line-mate Martin Hanzal is back from his lower-body injury, since Hanzal assisted on all three of the Duke’s net-ringers in the first meeting with the Anaheim hockey club.
The Anaheim Ducks started the new season uncharacteristically with a horrible start winning just one of their first ten games. Since then, they have turned things around and won four straight games.
The usually powerful Ducks have just 22 goals in 14 games, for a meager 1.57 goals a game. Much of that lack of firepower can be attributed to the loss of Ryan Getzlaf to an appendectomy last week. The Ducks are 3-0 since General Manager Bob Murray released a public stand down on the status of Coach Bruce Boudreaux. They’re just too good a team to have kept playing that poorly.
More From Howlin’ Hockey -> Arizona Coyotes Games 11 Thru 13 Predictions
More from Coyotes News
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
It’s just the Arizona Coyotes luck to meet them while they are on the rebound, but the schedule is what it is. The size and brute force of the Ducks will need to be handled much the same as it was in the Coyotes outstanding performance in that second game meeting last month.
Using the speed of the Killer D’s will again put the Ducks on the defensive, and if the Yotes study the game video of that last game success, they should be able to succeed.
The Coyotes announced that they had again placed big man John Scott on waivers, and if he clears waivers (likely) he will be sent to Springfield. They sent Tyler Gaudet back to Springfield. The team also recalled forward Dustin Jeffrey and defenseman Philip Samuelson from their AHL affiliate to fortify the roster.
Jeffrey has been the leading scorer in Springfield with five goals and seven assists in ten games there. Samuelson has four assists in ten games, and will fill in for injured Stefan Elliott and day-to-day injured Nicklas Grossmann.
The Arizona Coyotes will be victorious if they can duplicate their efforts from their first meeting with the Ducks from Anaheim. Only problem is the Ducks have shaken their feathers loose, and seem to be ready to play.
Prediction: Anaheim Ducks 4, Arizona Coyotes 1
Next: L.A. Kings 11-10-15
Oct 9, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Nick Shore (21) and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone (26) reach for the puck at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
- Games 15: Arizona Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings November 10, 2015
These two ardent foes met in the first game of the season on October 8, 2015 in Los Angeles. The Arizona Coyotes prevailed handily in that affair 4-1, with prospects Max Domi and Anthony Duclair playing some inspired hockey.
Domi collected his first NHL goal in the second period after assisting on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal in the first period. Duclair collected a helper on Tobias Rieder’s first goal of the new campaign to pace the younger, faster Coyotes.
Mike Smith played an excellent game to dispel any ideas that he would be as poor as last season.
That was then, this is now. Fast forward to the present, and you will notice that the L.A. Kings woke up from their trance and are playing some pretty decent hockey. After losing their first three games, they went on a seven game winning streak, followed by a split of the next four games on their early season agenda.
They have always been a streaky team, and with their long winning streak they are holding down first place in the Pacific Division with a 9-5 record.
The Arizona Coyotes are in fourth place with a 6-6-1 record, with the Anaheim Ducks closely trailing them by one point at this writing.
The key to the Coyotes having a chance in this game, will be to shut down Tyler Toffoli, who is on fire with nine goals already in the young season.
The ever present nemesis Jeff Carter has seven goals and eight assists as well, so if they can be limited, or shut out — the Coyotes have a shot at winning this game.
Prediction: L.A. Kings 5, Arizona Coyotes 2
Next: Edmonton Oilers 11-12-15
- Game 16: Edmonton Oilers at Arizona Coyotes, November 12, 2015
It just won’t be the same without being able to see the number one draft pick, Connor McDavid playing against the Arizona Coyotes. The head-to-head matchup of McDavid vs Domi would have been the ultimate in young prospects showing the hockey world their prowess.
McDavid may be back by the next meeting of these two teams in Glendale on 1-12-16. His prognosis for return is seven-to-eight weeks. He’s young and in good shape, so he could return in plenty of time before that time.
For many with McDavid being injured (as unfortunate as it may seem) it gives Max Domi the spotlight to show the hockey pundits that he is also an excellent candidate for the Rookie of the Year award given to the best rookie each year.
The Calder trophy could be Domi’s if he continues to perform so well. When a player is out with an injury he is somewhat forgotten, or off the radar, and Domi needs to use that advantage… well to his advantage.
Taylor Hall is leading the Oilers offense with six goals and ten assists in 14 games. He has always been an offensive threat, but the Oilers need to show some defensive abilities if they expect to beat the Coyotes.
They have given up 43 goals in 14 games thus far, not the best defense in the NHL to say the least. The Oilers were a disappointing 0-4-1 last season against a Coyotes’ team who only won 24 games all season.
Nail Yakupov and Ryan Nugent Hopkins will need to pick up the slack left by McDavid’s absence. The Oilers could always score, but their leaky defense and goaltending has failed them in the past. Some things don’t change.
Prediction: Arizona Coyotes 6, Edmonton Oilers 3
Next: Columbus Blue Jackets 11-14-15
Feb 3, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) makes a save on Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jordan Leopold (3) during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
- Game 17: Arizona Coyotes at Columbus Blue Jackets, November 14, 2015
This should be an easy win for the Arizona Coyotes even on the road. The Blue Jackets have not been tearing up the NHL — far from it. They are 4-11, and have hired controversial Head Coach John Tortorella, who has righted the sinking ship with a 4-4 record after a horrible 0-7 start, causing former Head Coach Todd Richards packing.
The struggling Blue Jackets are 29th in defense, and the new founded offense discovered by the Coyotes should take the buzz out of the Blue Jackets. If the line of Hanzal-Domi-Duclair can do their magic, the Columbus team won’t know what hit them.
The only disadvantage the Arizona Coyotes may face is playing four games in six nights, so Head Coach Dave Tippett has already pegged Anders Lindback to start against the Ducks in the first game to give inconsistent Mike Smith some breathing room, or perhaps some food for thought on his poor play of late.
After starting the season on fire, Smith has cooled off considerably to a 5-4-1 record, and a disappointing GAA of 3.23, and a less than impressive SV% of .900.
Next: Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney Likes Team’s Start
If the Arizona Coyotes stick to their game plan of good speed and fore-checking, along with an above average defense (and goaltending), then they should come away with a much needed victory.
They will need something to sustain their confidence after this Columbus visit, as they head to New York to play the Islanders, then on to the talented Montreal Canadians, followed by the Western Conference foe Winnipeg Jets. A victory in Columbus is essential.
Prediction: Arizona Coyotes 7, Blue Jackets 2