Arizona Coyotes Player Grades For Week 19

Feb 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) celebrates with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) and center Antoine Vermette (50) after scoring a goal in the third period against the Calgary Flames at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) celebrates with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) and center Antoine Vermette (50) after scoring a goal in the third period against the Calgary Flames at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Calgary Flames center Matt Stajan (18) shoots on Arizona Coyotes goalie Louis Domingue (35) as defenseman Michael Stone (26) defends during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Calgary Flames center Matt Stajan (18) shoots on Arizona Coyotes goalie Louis Domingue (35) as defenseman Michael Stone (26) defends during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

The Arizona Coyotes finished last week 1-2-0 and are now six points back of Anaheim and seven back of San Jose for a playoff berth in the Pacific Division.

With a 3-6-1 record in their past ten contests, the playoffs become more and more a longshot with each week that passes.

They come into this week with matchups against another bubble team in Montreal, and two Central Division playoff teams in Dallas and St. Louis. It’s not a soft week on the schedule for the Yotes.

With the Ducks and Sharks also having a game in hand on the Arizona Coyotes, the wins need to start piling up or by next week we could be perusing the draft boards.

Let’s take a look at the top performers for the Coyotes in last week’s trio of games:

Next: These Coyotes Are On The Rise...

Feb 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) celebrates with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) and center Antoine Vermette (50) after scoring a goal in the third period against the Calgary Flames at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) celebrates with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) and center Antoine Vermette (50) after scoring a goal in the third period against the Calgary Flames at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Coyotes On The Rise

These are the Coyotes on the rise after last week:

A. <p>The captain, <a href=. RW. Arizona Coyotes. SHANE DOAN

G. Arizona Coyotes. LOUIS DOMINGUE. B. <p><a href=

C. Arizona Coyotes. MARTIN HANZAL. B-. <p>To be clear, this is more about a lack of viable options than it is about <a href=

Let’s see which Coyotes are falling and flailing right now:

Next: Coyotes On The Decline

Feb 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) shoots the puck as Calgary Flames goalie Jonas Hiller (1) and defenseman T.J. Brodie (7) defend during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) shoots the puck as Calgary Flames goalie Jonas Hiller (1) and defenseman T.J. Brodie (7) defend during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Coyotes Trending Downward

These are the Coyotes stagnating or trending in the wrong direction:

C. <p>Yes, I’m aware OEL had a three point night against Calgary. However, last I checked <a href=. D. Arizona Coyotes. OLIVER EKMAN-LARSSON

D. <p><span style=. LW. Arizona Coyotes. MIKKEL BOEDKER

?. <p>The question mark grade of Kyle Chipchura is because I am not entirely sure what’s going on with his ice time. Dave Tippett has Chip average about 5:40 of time on ice this past week and that has been the case for a few games now.</p> <p>Since the loss to the LA Kings on February 2nd, Chipchura’s ice time has dwindled from about ten minutes per night to around six minutes per night.</p> <p>Is he hurt? Was there some egregious error committed by Chip that I missed that somehow surpasses the blunders committed by Antoine Vermette in seemingly every game?</p> <p>I’m unsure, but he’s filling out the final part of the Coyotes on the decline list until we know the answer.</p>. LW. Arizona Coyotes. KYLE CHIPCHURA

Next: Predictions For The Canadiens, Stars, And Blues

Dec 8, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Steve Downie (17) scores a goal past St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) during the first period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Steve Downie (17) scores a goal past St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) during the first period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

With just 27 games remaining, the Arizona Coyotes are heading in the wrong direction in regards to the Western Conference playoff race.

While the penalty kill performed admirably last week, the team still suffers from undisciplined play – particularly early in contests.

Last week I predicted a 2-1-0 record and the Yotes finished 1-2-0 and I honestly cannot see them doing much better than that against the caliber of competition they will face this week.

Next: Arizona Coyotes' Jersey History And Review; Which Jersey Was The Best?

Louis Domingue will likely get each start again this week, but with the team not scoring in front of him it’s hard to expect him to pull off a miracle in the desert.

If the Coyotes cannot manage a better record than they did in the previous week, there will be virtually no chance left to nudge their noses into playoff discussion.

Last week was do or die, this week is absolute desperation.

They must win and win now.

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