After collecting seven points in the six game current homestead, the Arizona Coyotes travel to Denver before coming back home for two games.
Nov 5, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Boyd Gordon (15) wins a faceoff against Colorado Avalanche center Carl Soderberg (34) as NHL linesman Vaughan Rody (73) watches during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
** Here are the Howlin’ Hockey Editor’s Predictions for the Arizona Coyotes games the week of 12-27-15 to 1-2-16
Game 34: Arizona Coyotes at Colorado Avalanche – December 27, 2015
The Arizona Coyotes just finished up a six game homestead, and came away with seven points, but that won’t be enough to keep them competitive for a playoff berth. They are tied with their opponent Colorado team for the last wild-card playoff spot, but are ahead of them due to the fact that they have the one win against them in head-to-head play. They trail the Nashville Predators by five points for the last of two wild-card positions.
The team again showed some guts and determination in taking a one goal lead after two periods, only to see that lead crumble by allowing the tough and tumble Los Angeles Kings back into the game with three consecutive third period goals. The fact remains that they didn’t build on their lead, and instead got sloppy and allowed the Kings to build their confidence. You just can’t do that with a strong team like the Kings.
The game against the Avalanche should show if the Arizona Coyotes can play back-to-back games for the eighth time this young season. At least they won’t need to do that again for a month. The Av’s are playing well, with seven wins in their last 10 games. They have beaten the N.Y. Rangers, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Islanders in that span. The Arizona Coyotes need to take them seriously.
Next: Chicago Blackhawks at Arizona Coyotes - December 29, 2015
Mar 12, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) celebrates with center Jonathan Toews (19) and left wing Brandon Saad (20) after scoring a power play goal in the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Game 34: Chicago Blackhawks at Arizona Coyotes – December 29, 2015
This will be the first meeting of these two Western Conference foes of the 2015-16 season. Last season the Blackhawks took two of three games from the Arizona Coyotes, with two of the three games being one goal affairs.
It’s no secret that the key to beating the Blackhawks is to stop (or at least attempt to do so) Patrick Kane. With 50 points in 36 games, after riding a 26 games scoring streak, that will not be an easy task. The Blackhawks are again showing why they are a premier team in the NHL. They are currently third in the Western Conference with an impressive 20-12-4 record. Yet, they trail the amazing Dallas Stars by 11 points. It is unclear who can stop the Stars, at this point.
Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-4Looking back at the Blackhawks' trades involving Andrew Ladd /
The Arizona Coyotes need to play much tighter defense if they are to come away with a victory against the Windy-city warriors. Goalie Louis Domingue came back down to earth in his loss to the Kings, but he also was not responsible for the goal Connor Murphy deflected into his own net. Murphy made the huge snafu of attempting to stop a puck headed towards his net from behind, when his net-minder would have had a much better angle of stopping it. Young defense, makes young defensive errors. You can’t do that against an elite, defending Stanley Cup champion like the Blackhawks. They will chew you up and spit you out.
It is likely that Anders Lindback will get the start in goal, in this back-to-back game situation. He needs to regain his starter role, but Head Coach Dave Tippett has stated that his policy will be “win-and-you’re-in”.
The Arizona Coyotes always play the Blackhawks tough, so this should be an entertaining game.
Prediction: Arizona Coyotes 2, Chicago Blackhawks 1
Next: Winnipeg Jets at Arizona Coyotes - December 31, 2015
Nov 21, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien (33) is hit by Arizona Coyotes center Martin Hanzal (11) during the third period at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
These two Western Conference teams met about a month ago, with the Jets coming away victorious, 3-2. The Arizona Coyotes scored two power play goals in this game, and they need to improve their dismal 16.13 per cent power play success rate. The Jets are not a good defending team, but have improved that of late. They rank 24th in the NHL giving up 104 goals, or 2.97 goals a game. They have lost six of their last 10 games, so this will be a game the Arizona Coyotes should prevail in, and come out with a W.
The one player to shut down (and they did just that in the last meeting) is Blake Wheeler, who has 35 points in 34 games, at this writing. He’s big, he loves to play against the team he scorned by not signing with them, and he is tough to stop.
Another primary player for the Jets to watch will be Dustin Byfuglien. He scored the tying goal in the last game he faced the Coyotes, and is another player who likes to intimidate his opponent, like Wheeler. If the Arizona Coyotes can contain these two (no easy undertaking), they should have a good opportunity to end the 2015 year with a victory.
Seeing as how the Arizona Coyotes will go back out on the road after this game for the annual Western Canada jaunt, they need to end the month and year on a high-note. The fact that the Jets are battling the Coyotes for a wild-card playoff position, only adds to the entertainment value of this contest.
This may be a start for Louis Domingue again, but it seems that whomever wins in net against the Chicago Blackhawks (if that happens) will be the starting goaltender.
Prediction: Arizona Coyotes 5, Winnipeg Jets 2
Next: Arizona Coyotes at Edmonton Oilers - January 2, 2016
Oct 31, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
This will be the second meeting of these two Western Conference competitors this season. Back on November 12, 2016 the Oilers came to Arizona and got beaten pretty easily by the Arizona Coyotes 4-1. Max Domi had a goal and an assist, and Shane Doan, Stefan Elliott, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson rounded out the scoring for the Desert Dogs.
Connor McDavid is on the mend, and even skated with his team for the first time since his unfortunate injury on November 4th. He’s not shooting yet, but stated the bone will heal when it heals. At this point, it is uncertain if he will be ready for the January 12th game here in Arizona. I know many fans (myself included) are clamoring to see the young superstar player. If he’s not ready for that game, his Oilers invade Arizona again on March 22, 2016.
The Oilers are dead last in the Western Conference, but not that far out of playoff contention. After winning six straight, they have fallen into their losing ways again, dropping seven of eight as they get ready to face the 18-16-3 Arizona Coyotes. The Oilers are facing some injuries as are the Coyotes, with six players not being able to suit up for this game. The Coyotes are trying to get healthy also, but will still be without the services of Martin Hanzal (his 12th game being injured), Boyd Gordon, Steve Downie, and of course Mike Smith and Joe Vitale.
The Arizona Coyotes are 4-1-1 in their last six games, and this game is the beginning of their annual Western Canada jaunt to include Vancouver on Monday, and Calgary on Thursday before returning home on 1-9-16 to begin a crucial seven game homestead. This homestead could make or break the team’s playoff aspirations.
The Oilers are not playing well, and the Coyotes are, so this game should be a game the Coyotes should win. It is an afternoon tilt beginning at 2pm.
