Arizona Coyotes October Game Reviews Part One
The Arizona Coyotes had a surprising month of October to start the 2015-2016 NHL season, as they finished 5-5-1.
Oct 15, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone (26) celebrates with right wing Shane Doan (19) after scoring a goal in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Coyotes have been shocking the hockey world with their play this season. Before the puck dropped in October, analysts and hockey gurus everywhere pegged Arizona to finish at the bottom of the National Hockey League. At this point, it almost seems impossible for the Coyotes to finish that low in the standings.
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The Pacific Division has been struggling this season after being a powerhouse these past couple of years. As inconsistent as the Coyotes have been this past month, this team as flirted between the first and second spots in the divisional standings. The Arizona Coyotes have been battling it out for the top spot in the division with the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Vancouver Canucks.
The Arizona Coyotes started off the season 3-0-0 with wins against the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Anaheim Ducks. These three wins were very convincing and hinted at a strong franchise revival in the desert. The first year of the Arizona Coyotes rebuild has proved to be a promising one.
ESPN's NHL Power Rankings are out and look who's in the top five 😏 http://t.co/lsK3rv03cH pic.twitter.com/aptB1TPRe3
— Howlin' Hockey (@HowlinHockey) October 12, 2015
Howlin’ Hockey breaks down the Arizona Coyotes first month of play in October.
Next: Game 1: Coyotes @ Kings
Game 1: Arizona Coyotes @ Los Angeles Kings
Date: October 9, 2015
Oct 9, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Martin Hanzal (11) and left wing Anthony Duclair (10) celebrate after a goal in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Coyotes kicked off the 2015-2016 NHL season with an entertaining match-up against their Pacific Division rivals; the Los Angeles Kings. All eyes were on the rookie duos Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. Fans have been waiting two years for Max Domi to wear a Coyotes sweater for regular season action. To everyone’s surprise, he did not disappoint. Domi had a fantastic inaugural NHL game to kick off his rookie season. He finished the match as the second star of the game with one goal and one assist. His former roommate and Team Canada line-mate, Anthony Duclair, recorded an assist in his first game as an Arizona Coyote as well. These two rookies would lay down the foundation for great things to come for this franchise. While the rookies were amazing to start the season, there was one other player that stole the show for the Arizona Coyotes. That player would be a reborn Mike Smith. As we all know, Mike Smith had arguably one of the worst seasons of his National Hockey League career last season with the Coyotes. To everyone’s surprise, Smith would dominate this game in Los Angeles. Mike Smith would finish the game with a .976 save percentage, stopping 40 of 41 shots faced.
Final Score: Arizona Coyotes- 4 Los Angeles Kings- 1
Current Record: 1-0-0
Next: Game 2: Penguins @ Coyotes
Game 2: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Arizona Coyotes
Date: October 10. 2015
Oct 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (right) and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson battle for the puck 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 would pack their bags and immediately travel back to Glendale for a game that following the day. The Pittsburgh Penguins were waiting for the undefeated Coyotes in Gila River Arena. This would be the Penguins second game of the new year and the first time Gila River Arena would see Phil Kessel play in a Pittsburgh sweater. The Coyotes would ultimately ride the momentum from their Southern California road-trip and come out on top against the Penguins. Dave Tippett elected to start the hot hand of Mike Smith for this back-to-back home and away series. Smith would be on fire like he was the night before, stopping 27 of 28 shots for a .964 save percentage.
Mike Smith is currently 67 for 69 with a .971 SV% through two games 🙌 #WeAreCoyotes pic.twitter.com/kzsAYU9tPn
— Howlin' Hockey (@HowlinHockey) October 11, 2015
Arizona would tally two goals against Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins. Tobias Rieder opened things up in the second period to give the Coyotes a 1-0 edge. Seventeen seconds after Rieder’s goal, Phil Kessel would fire a rocket of a snipe past Smith to tie things up. The eventual game-winner would come from Coyotes rookie Jordan Martinook in the second period. This would be Martinook’s first National Hockey League goal.
Final Score: Arizona Coyotes- 2 Pittsburgh Penguins- 1
Current Record: 2-0-0
Next: Game 3: Coyotes @ Ducks
Game 3: Arizona Coyotes @ Anaheim Ducks
Date: October 14, 2015
Oct 14, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner (4) reach for the puck at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Coyotes had a nice four day break from their last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team would then hit the road and travel back to California to take on a struggling Anaheim Ducks team. Dave Tippett and the Coyotes wanted to push the pace against the Ducks through the speed of their younger players.
Who's ready to go Duck hunting tonight?! #ARIvsANA pic.twitter.com/TNTwNhsbQu
— Howlin' Hockey (@HowlinHockey) October 14, 2015
This third game would tell the same tale as the previous two for the Arizona Coyotes. The two rookie line-mates and a certain revived goaltender would carry the team to victory. Mike Smith was lights out and recorded his first shutout of the new season. This would be his first shutout since March 4, 2014. Smith went on to stop all 37 shots that the Ducks put on him.
While Mike Smith was phenomenal, one other player edged him out for the first star of this contest. Anthony Duclair had the hot stick of the night as he scored not one, not two; but three goals for the Arizona Coyotes. Max Domi would score the other goal for the team as the rookie duo began to make their mark on the league. This would ultimately be Duclair’s first NHL hat-trick.
Final Score: Arizona Coyotes- 4 Anaheim Ducks- 0
Current Record: 3-0-0
Next: Game 4: Wild @ Coyotes
Game 4: Minnesota Wild @ Arizona Coyotes
Date: October 15, 2015
Oct 15, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) sets up in front of Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Coyotes continue their unfavorable NHL schedule with yet another back to back game. However this time, the Coyotes would not come out on top against the Wild. This would be a match up between two of the NHL’s undefeated teams. Notably, this would be Devan Dubnyk’s first game in Arizona since being traded to the Wild last season.
Next: Arizona Coyotes Tobias Rieder Playing At Accelerated Pace
Max Domi and Anthony Duclair would continue their phenomenal play with a goal each. This would not be enough as the Wild were firing on all cylinders against this tired Coyotes team. Mike Smith would get pulled in the second period after allowing three goals on seventeen shots. Anders Lindback would finish the game stopping six of seven shots that he would face.
Final Score: Minnesota Wild- 4 Arizona Coyotes- 3
Current Record: 3-1-0
Next: Game 5: Bruins @ Coyotes
Game 5: Boston Bruins @ Arizona Coyotes
Date: October 17, 2015
Oct 17, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Joe Vitale (14), Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) and goalie Tuukka Rask (40) battle for position during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Coyotes continue their home-stand with a game against the Boston Bruins on October 17, 2015. The Bruins would prove to be a tough team for the Arizona Coyotes, as they played with high intensity from the drop of the puck. This Coyotes team seemed to look a bit different than the one the fans have seen the prior four games.
Anthony Duclair and Max Domi would not register a point in this game. Instead, Shane Doan would take center stage with his first goal of the season. Doan would later assist on both third period goals for the Coyotes that were scored by Tobias Rieder and Kyle Chipchura. Mike Smith would have a tough time as he faced 43 total shots by the Boston Bruins. The Bruins would put up five goals on Smith for a 5-3 Boston victory.
Final Score: Boston Bruins- 5 Arizona Coyotes- 3
Current Record: 3-2-0
Stay tuned for part two of the recap of the Arizona Coyotes in October.