The Arizona Coyotes come out of the All-Star break fully rested. With matchups against the Kings, Blackhawks, and Ducks in a four day span, their playoff hopes will be tested immediately.
The Arizona Coyotes had no representative at the NHL All-Star game in Nashville.
They are rested and prepared for a playoff push no one expected them to take part in.
Unfortunately for the Yotes, their next three opponents are the Kings, the Blackhawks, and the Ducks. That’s some very tough sledding.
And with the Coyotes now third in the Pacific Division and just two points ahead of Anaheim, the team cannot afford to get the second half started on the back foot.
A lot of the Arizona Coyotes success (or lack thereof) will fall on the back of the play of Louis Domingue. The 23-year-old goaltender has been stellar while filling in for Mike Smith, but his last start before the break was also his worst of the season.
How he shakes off the rust and the bad outing, paired with whether or not the Coyotes offense can break out of it’s increasingly long slump, will be the huge tells for the team going forward.
Despite an entertaining season that has found the Yotes in playoff contention for the majority of the games they’ve played, they sit just 10 points ahead of cellar dwellars Edmonton, Columbus, and Toronto. They are currently 19th overall in the league standings by points.
It is by virtue of a weak division alone that they are in the thick of the playoff hunt.
All of that above to say that the Arizona Coyotes are just as close to being back in the lottery for the NHL Draft as they are playing playoff games in Gila River Arena.
A strong start to the second half would help the Coyotes maintain their lead on a Ducks team that is finally finding it’s footing after going 10-3-1 heading into the break.
Faltering now may have Coyotes fans looking at draft prospects in early Spring once again.
About Last Night
John Scott Scores Twice, Wins NHL All-Star MVP [Howlin’ Hockey]
"There were lots of great moments and even some great hockey.And one unheralded enforcer got to have the night of his life."
Scott, Pacific Division Win Revamped All-Star Game [NHL.com – Dan Rosen]
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- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
John Scott, fan vote as captain, gets MVP at All-Star Game [Associated Press – Teresa M. Walker]
Coyotes Talk
Arizona Coyotes: Arena Partnership With Arizona State In Tempe Seems Likely [Howlin’ Hockey]
"The central location could help the Arizona Coyotes fill the arena with the fans they have struggled to draw while located on their own in Glendale."
Shane Doan Is Coyotes’ Midseason MVP At Age 39 [Today’s Slapshot – Anthony Perez]
"And up until recently, Doan was just as hot as he’s ever been in his career, netting 10 goals over an 11-game stretch between December 22 to January 14, which also included his second career hat trick in a game against Chicago on December 29 where he also tied the franchise record in goals."
Coyotes expect arena plans to be finalized by end of season [ESPN.com – Scott Burnside]
Rookies a catalyst for Arizona Coyotes’ success [AZCentral – Sarah McLellan]
Around The NHL
Pacific Division 2016: Mid-Season Awards [LA Sports Hub – Jeff Henning]
Jaromir Jagr survives John Scott, 3-on-3 format in final ASG [Puck Daddy – Sean Leahy]
Next: 10 Best Goals From First Half Of Coyotes' 2015-16 Season?
NHL commissioner Bettman signs extension through 2022 [Associated Press]
Rumor Roundup: Yandle, Hudler and McGinn will draw interest at deadline [The Hockey News – Lyle Richardson]
"Larry Brooks also weighed in regarding Yandle’s value as a playoff rental. He speculates the 29-year-old rearguard could spark a bidding war among Western Conference powers like the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings, along with perhaps the Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild."