Arizona Coyotes – Howlin’ Hockey’s Thursday’s Thoughts
Arizona Coyotes week in review
There’s no place like home…
The homestead was just what the Arizona Coyotes needed. One word comes to mind — CONFIDENCE.
Defeating the Anaheim Ducks AGAIN was significant. Anthony Duclair scoring his fifth of eight goals against them was awesome. Isn’t it uncanny how one player can dominate a team? I mean it happens in all sports, not just NHL hockey. Duclair’s third period power play goal de-feathered the Ducks to the point of no return.
November 9, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Anthony Duclair (10) controls the puck against Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
All quotes from NHL.com Correspondent Jerry Brown:
”They have a great team with great skill. I’m just getting lucky, I guess, Duclair said. We’ve had success against them early in the season, but they are turning it around. We knew we had a to play a 200-foot game and be everywhere.”
More From Howlin’ Hockey -> Arizona Coyotes Fans Have Plenty To Be Thankful For
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
Adding to the victory was the fact that Antione Vermette broke out of his scoring drought with two goals to finally get going offensively. Vermy has not turned on the red light since February 14, when he was a member of the Blackhawks. Vermette shook it off as nothing to worry about. He knows that hard work will eventually reap him the benefits.
Duclair’s speed has consistently baffled many teams, but especially the Anaheim Ducks. Winning all three games against a Pacific Division team, and holding a 6-1 record against the entire division is huge. Those points will come in handy later in the season when every team will be fighting for a playoff spot. If the Arizona Coyotes face the Ducks in the playoffs, Anthony Duclair had better be the focus of attention for the Ducks. He’s pretty well made them look worse than they looked this season.
Max Domi was selected the number one star for his two assists, while Duclair was the second star, and Vermette the third star.
Next: Putting out the Flame
From Duck soup to putting out the Flame…
Martin Hanzal continued his march of putting points on the board in this contest against a Flames team who dominated the Arizona Coyotes last season. He got the very important first goal of the game, and was assisted by his talented winger Tobias Rieder. The Flames came back to score a power play goal to knot the affair before the second period ended.
Nov 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime to beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
This game would go into overtime. OVERTIME?… Oliver Ekman-Larsson repeated (can’t you just envision him rubbing his hands together). Just his cup of tea. OEL survives on game winning situations, and this game was not any different. With just 40 seconds remaining in the exciting new format of 3-on-3 overtime, Brad Richardson (who has really elevated his playing level lately) found Ekman-Larsson in the slot for a one-timer that won the game.
This style of play was the way the Arizona Coyotes won so many games in their classic 2011-12 season, where they went to the Western Conference finals against the L.A. Kings. They did just enough to win, and had excellent defense, along with special teams performing well, to come away victorious. Calgary only converted one of six extra man advantages, and that was pretty much the deciding factor in this game.
One other footnote: This victory was Head Coach Dave Tippett’s 500th career win. He was given the belt from the players, and Tippett exclaimed that the players win the games. It was a typical Tippett win, an ugly kind of game, but it’s still two points in the standings against another tough Western Conference team.
Next: Boedker goes bonkers
Boedker goes bonkers…
Just as Anthony Duclair has the Ducks number, Mikkel Boedker has the Ottawa Senators entire contact list. He scored his second HAT TRICK in as many meetings with the Senators, whom I’m certain are counting their blessings that they are not going to have to play against him again this season. Boedker has nine goals, and six have come at the Senators’ expense.
Nov 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) scores his third goal on the night for a hat trick on Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
”It doesn’t happen very often, obviously,” Boedker said. “It was one of those games where I had the puck a lot, had a lot of shots (eight) and was able to find holes again. If I could explain it, I would. It feels good definitely, but I shouldn’t get too used to that, I don’t think.”
Just as Mike Smith stood on his head making 26 saves against the Ducks, Anders Lindback was pelted with 41 shots, stopping 38. In the crucial first period Lindback turned away 17 shots, just allowing a lone goal to keep the Arizona Coyotes relevant. He is turning out to be a much better backup than I had anticipated, and that is nothing but good news for the fortunes of the team.
Next: Predators prey on Coyotes
Predators prey on Coyotes
After that successful home-stand, one would gather that the team was storing up a load of confidence. WRONG ! ! They came out strong enough to take a 2-1 lead after two stanzas, and then fell flat on their respective faces. FOUR third period goals is not a formula for victory. TURNOVERS will kill you (which I think this team should have learned last season).
But, when you turn it over to someone like Mike Ribeiro (you know the history…) who makes you pay big time, you just feel awful. OEL coughed up the puck to Mr. Ribeiro, who wasted no time to hit a flutter shot (which he claimed he did on purpose… yeah right Mike, and you also played stellar hockey while in Arizona… NOT) which evaded Mike Smith. Smitty was subjected to an arsenal of shots as if it was World War III in his crease. The Preds actually could have had seven to eight goals, since they hit four posts.
Next: Arizona Coyotes - Howlin’ Hockey Wednesday’s Words
Head Coach Dave Tippett capsulized it so well… saying it was not so much a lack of offense, but poor defense. If you don’t have the puck, or don’t pursue getting the puck, your offense can’t score for you. And, having a mere 15 shots on net will define that theory to the hilt.
Well, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel — and that is the Arizona Coyotes need a reality check, and got one. Now, they will face the tough Red Wings next, and that always seems to inspire their play. We’ll see…