The Arizona Coyotes lost another close one to an Eastern Conference foe, falling 2-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Louis Domingue saved 34 of 36 shots but Cedric Paquette scored the game-winner for Tampa Bay on a penalty shot.
The Arizona Coyotes couldn’t find the net in Tampa Bay despite Louis Domingue saving 34 of 36 shots he faced to keep them in it.
As the losses pile up, the Coyotes playoff hopes dwindle into nothingness.
The Tampa Bay Lightning got on the board first when Alex Killorn‘s shot went off the post and was rounded up by Steven Stamkos. Stamkos was able to poke it past Domingue for the 1-0 lead.
Near the end of the second period, Michael Stone drew a high-sticking penalty on Ondrej Palat that gave the Arizona Coyotes a four minute power play opportunity. The Yotes ultimately squandered the chance, culminating in Shane Doan being whistled defending a shorthanded breakaway.
Doan’s penalty awarded the Bolts’ Cedric Paquette a penalty shot and he roofed it over Domingue for the 2-0 lead.
In the third, Michael Stone got a nice shot off of a face-off win and Jordan Martinook was awarded with the goal to bring the Coyotes within one goal of Tampa Bay.
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In spite of the Arizona Coyotes late flurry, the Tampa Bay Lightning held on to win it 2-1.
Player Performance
Jordan Martinook went down with an injury in the third period shortly after getting credit for the Arizona Coyotes first goal. Though he is just a rookie and a bottom-six forward at that, what Martinook brings to this Coyotes team is hard to replace. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief when he came back to the bench. He also led the team with 4 shots on goal.
Shane Doan looked like a 39 year old man tonight. These things happen at that age. Especially on a back-to-back against two of the best offensive lineups in the league. He’ll bounce back.
Max Domi and Anthony Duclair had just one shot a piece. They had none the night before. The Coyotes can’t have their dynamic playmakers having no impact two nights in a row while trying to chase the playoffs.
Puck Prose
Mikkel Boedker was sleepwalking in another game. No shots on goal from Boedker and he logged more than two minutes of power play time. His trade value is plummeting by the minute.
It may just be me, but Klas Dahlbeck is doing little and less to convince the Arizona Coyotes he deserves a spot in the lineup over Jarred Tinordi. He turned his back on Stamkos on the Lightning’s first goal and allowed him a free pass at the puck.
Arizona Coyotes Player of the Game
None other than Louis Domingue. He faced 34 shots against he Capitals last night, then shows back up to work and faces 36 shots tonight.
He’s not perfect and he’s got some room to grow, but it’s hard to see a logical reasoning for the Arizona Coyotes to make Mike Smith the de facto number one goaltender once again when he returns from injury.
The View From The 200 Level
This loss stings.
Louis Domingue once again played his heart out – after facing 34 shots the night before, no less – and was rewarded with one goal by the skaters in front of him.
After these back-to-back losses and facing a six point deficit to the final wild card (while also being four points behind the next closest contender in Minnesota), it’s safe to say the playoff dream is dead.
It’s time to ship Boedker out and make whatever other moves Don Maloney feels are necessary and let the kids play.
Next: The Coyotes Should Trade Mikkel Boedker
Lots of experience left to be gained for the youngsters in the next 23 games or so. Lots of highlight reel goals for Domi and Duclair to score.
Just because the playoff run is over doesn’t mean the fun ends. It does mean we have to wait a little longer, though. But next year, there’ll be a new kid in town and he’s pretty good at hockey.
The Arizona Coyotes play the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.