Arizona Coyotes October Game Reviews Part Two
Howlin’ Hockey continues the Arizona Coyotes month in review with the final six games of October.
November 9, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes celebrate the goal scored by left wing Mikkel Boedker (not pictured) to win 4-3 against Anaheim Ducks in the overtime period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
In our previous post, we broke down the first five Arizona Coyotes games of the new year, where we saw the team finish with a 3-2-0 record. The team had two separate back-to-back games scheduled in their first five games, as their tough NHL schedule began to roll on. The Arizona Coyotes battled it out with the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, and Boston Bruins.
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The second half of the month did not pan out as the Arizona Coyotes would have hoped. With a solid three game win streak to start the season, the Coyotes began to settle back down to an even record. In the final six games of October, the Coyotes would finish with a 2-3-1 record.
The Arizona Coyotes would continue their tough schedule, and face-off against five straight teams on the road. Their east coast road-trip would consist of the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins. Arizona would end the month with a game against the Vancouver Canucks in Gila River Arena.
Howlin’ Hockey breaks down the final six Arizona Coyotes games for the month of October.
Next: Game 6: Coyotes @ Devils
Game 6: Arizona Coyotes @ New Jersey Devils
Date: October 20, 2015
Oct 20, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save on Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
The first stop on the Arizona Coyotes lengthy road-trip, would be New Jersey to take on the Devils. This game would be a hard fought battle to the very end, with a limited number of shots for each team. Mike Smith would only face 25 for the Coyotes, and Cory Schneider would see 20 for the Devils. Penalties would be prominent in this game, as a total of ten would be handed out.
The first period would end in a zero-zero tie, as the action did not pick up until late in the third period. The first goal would come off the stick of Travis Zajac, for the Devils. The Coyotes were on the power-play, but got caught on a two-on-one disadvantage in the neutral zone. A quick saucer pass from Jacob Josefson to Zajac would provide the team with the early lead.
The Arizona Coyotes would not give up so easily. After being down 2-1 late in the third period, the Coyotes would send Mike Smith to the bench for the extra attacker. With six skaters, the Coyotes began their attack and started cycling the puck in hopes of an open shooting lane. Mikkel Boedker finally found the net with only fifty seconds remaining, to tie the game at two.
The Arizona Coyotes would see their first three-on-three overtime action of the season against the New Jersey Devils. Unfortunately, less than a minute into extra time the game would be decided. The Devils charged down the ice with numbers on their side. With a few tic-tac-toe passes, the New Jersey Devils eventually found the back of the net for the win. The Arizona Coyotes escaped with one point on the first game of this road-trip.
Final Score: New Jersey Devils- 3 Arizona Coyotes- 2 (OT)
Current Record: 3-2-1
Next: Game 7: Coyotes @ Rangers
Game 7: Arizona Coyotes @ New York Rangers
Date: October 22, 2015
Oct 22, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Boyd Gordon (15) battles for a face off with New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) during the second period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The next stop for the Arizona Coyotes would be Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Rangers. The story of the night would center around Keith Yandle, as he faced off against the team that traded him just a season ago. Yandle was a big part of the Arizona Coyotes franchise for nine straight years. The superstar trade sent him packing to the Big Apple in exchange for Anthony Duclair. Yandle would tally one goal against the Coyotes that night.
Along with Keith Yandle, Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist would shine in this Thursday night game. The Coyotes would not get much done offensively, with King Henrik in net. Out of the 35 shots faced, only one would get by the Rangers goaltender. Mike Smith, on the other hand, would not get that same luck. He finished with a save percentage of .889, allowing three goals in the loss.
Final Score: New York Rangers- 4 Arizona Coyotes- 1
Current Record: 3-3-1
Next: Game 8: Coyotes @ Senators
Game 8: Arizona Coyotes @ Ottawa Senators
Date: October 24, 2015
Oct 24, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Arizona Coyotes goalie Anders Lindback (29) makes a save on a shot from Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) in the third period at Canadian Tire Centre. The Coyotes defeated the Senators 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Coyotes headed up north to take on the Ottawa Senators, for their eighth game of the new season. Unlike the previous games on the road-trip, the Coyotes would come out on top. Mike Smith was put on the bench for Anders Lindback, and the back-up goaltender did not disappoint.
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There would be two players for the Arizona Coyotes that would take center stage this Saturday night in Canada. The first player would be Anders Lindback, and his impressive start in between the pipes. Lindback covered his angles perfectly, and managed to keep up to speed against Ottawa’s scoring threats. Lindback finished the game with only one goal against and a .972 save percentage.
Mikkel Boedker would be the other player to get prestigious honors for his effort against the Senators. Boedker managed to record his second career hat-trick. This was the game that Mikkel Boedker truly needed, after sitting out for 45 games last season with a serious spleen injury.
Boedker had this to say after the Coyotes win in Ottawa:
“The win is the most important thing, but obviously for selfish reasons, it feels really good to get on the board and with a hat trick, it makes it extra special, It was a good team win, a good collective win.”
Final Score: Arizona Coyotes- 4 Ottawa Senators- 1
Current Record: 4-3-1
Next: Game 9: Coyotes @ Maple Leafs
Game 9: Arizona Coyotes @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Date: October 26, 2015
Oct 26, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Shawn Matthias (23) drives to the net in pursuit of the puck as Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) covers up at Air Canada Centre. The Coyotes beat the Maple Leafs 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
After their win in Ottawa, the Arizona Coyotes hopped back on a plane, and headed to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs. This game would require a team effort, in order to come away with a win. Max Domi was the highlighted player this evening, as his return to Toronto was covered by numerous media outlets prior to puck drop. Max’s father, Tie Domi, spent twelve NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
With his father in attendance, Max Domi opened up the scoring with the contest’s first goal. The other goal scorers for the Arizona Coyotes included Shane Doan, Klas Dahlbeck, and Kyle Chipchura. After sitting out against the Ottawa Senators the game before, Mike Smith was ready for this Toronto Maple Leafs team. Smith made 24 saves to lead his team to victory on the road.
Final Score: Arizona Coyotes- 4 Toronto Maple Leafs- 3
Current Record: 5-3-1
Next: Game 10: Coyotes @ Bruins
Game 10: Arizona Coyotes @ Boston Bruins
Date: October 27, 2015
Oct 17, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) shoots the puck as Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) center Chris Kelly (23) and defenseman Tommy Cross (56) defend during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The final stop on the Arizona Coyotes five game road-trip would be Boston, to battle it out against the Bruins. The previous meeting this season between Arizona and Boston was a one-sided affair at Gila River Arena. On October 17th, the Bruins demolished the Coyotes in a 5-3 win before Arizona’s five game road-trip.
The second game between these two squads did not look any different than the first, as the Bruins steamrolled the Coyotes once again. The Coyotes offense was dormant, and Mike Smith was not his usual self. Tuukka Rask stopped all 24 shots that he faced, sending the Coyotes back home being shutout for the first time this season. Mike Smith let in a total of six goals and finished this game with a meager .778 save percentage. The Arizona Coyotes headed back home for their final game of October.
Final Score: Boston Bruins- 6 Arizona Coyotes- 0
Current Record: 5-4-1
Next: Game 11: Canucks @ Coyotes
Game 11: Vancouver Canucks @ Arizona Coyotes
Date: October 30, 2015
Oct 30, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Anthony Duclair (10) looks for a pass as Vancouver Canucks goalie Richard Bachman (32) and defenseman Ben Hutton (27) defend during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
October’s finale featured two Pacific Division teams battling it out for the top spot in the divisional standings. The Arizona Coyotes played host to the Vancouver Canucks for their first game home in nearly two weeks. The Coyotes desperately tried to claw their way back to a win, after being down 3-0 early on in this match. However, the Vancouver Canucks held on to their early lead throughout the entire game, and left Gila River Arena with a win.
Mike Smith remained on the ice for only four minutes and twenty-six seconds before getting pulled. He gave up two goals on three shots before Lindback was put in as relief. Anders finished the game with a .895 save percentage and two goals against. The Arizona Coyotes put up a total of three goals in the loss to Vancouver. Those goal scorers were Max Domi, Steve Downie, and Tobias Rieder.
Final Score: Vancouver Canucks- 4 Arizona Coyotes- 3
Current Record: 5-5-1
Next: Arizona Coyotes Uniform History - Review
While it is easy to scold the Arizona Coyotes for such a mediocre record, one must admire the fight that this team has been putting up. This team has easily one of the hardest NHL schedules, with numerous back-to-back away games, and lengthy road-trips. For a team that was predicted to finish dead last in the league this year, the Arizona Coyotes are not doing too bad at all. The first year of the franchise rebuild seems to be going well with great things to come on the horizon. With a 5-5-1 record, the Arizona Coyotes are continuing to put themselves in a position to make the playoffs this season.
On to November.