Arizona Coyotes: Max Domi Scores Gorgeous Backhand Goal Against Dallas Stars, Niemi
Arizona Coyotes rookie Max Domi scored a highlight reel breakaway goal against the Dallas Stars.
The Arizona Coyotes have been far more successful this season than anyone outside the locker room expected.
A big reason for that has been the production of their rookies.
Max Domi and Anthony Duclair have been better than expected in their first seasons in the NHL.
Domi has 13 goals and 23 assists for 36 points in his first 56 NHL goals. Duclair has 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points in 55 games with the Arizona Coyotes this season.
That was before Thursday night against Dallas, anyway.
Tonight they continued their whirlwind tour of awesome in the desert with a brilliant breakaway connection.
Anthony Duclair picked up the puck in the defensive zone and found Max Domi racing through the neutral zone. The Duke hit Domi with a perfect pass in stride.
Domi raced into the offensive zone and made a mockery of what was a very passive play by Antti Niemi. As Niemi lunged to block the puck, the rookie forward roofed the puck over Niemi’s shoulder with his patented filthy backhand.
It wasn’t the last connection the pair would make on the night.
Anthony Duclair blew past John Klingberg and nearly beat Niemi with a nifty deke but Niemi got his pad on the puck. Domi flew in from behind and cleaned up the Duke’s rebound to give the Coyotes a 3-2 lead.
Arizona Coyotes fans have quickly grown accustomed to Domi and the Duke and have affectionately dubbed them the Killer D’s. The hashtag #Duclomi has also shown up as a regular companion to goals where the pair connect.
The two rookies have a dynamite connection already. Domi has assisted on seven of Anthony Duclair’s goals this season, while the Duke has assisted on three of Max Domi’s goals.
Beyond their connection on the ice they are also best friends off of it as well.
That may or may not have been part of Arizona Coyotes general manager Don Maloney’s plan last season when he traded Keith Yandle to the Rangers and received Duclair as part of the return.
That deal is looking pretty good right now.
Next: The Top 10 Goals From The First Half Of The Coyotes' 2015-16 Season
Whatever the reason was, Coyotes fans are lucky to get to watch these kids grow up together through the next decade.
Their talent is immense. The fun they have on the ice is palpable.
And for once, future stars of this caliber are together at one time in the desert.