Everything went right early for the Arizona Coyotes, at least until the second period when everything went sideways.
The Arizona Coyotes won two challenges for goals (one for and one against) and led 2-0 in the second period.
If the game ended there, we’d be talking about two much needed points.
Unfortunately it did not end there.
A devastating injury to Brad Richardson and two quick goals from the Vancouver Canucks ensured the Coyotes wouldn’t escape with the win in regulation.
A bad line combination in overtime gifted the Canucks a prime chance and penalty shot opportunity and Ben Hutton made good on.
Such is life for the Yotes thus far this season.
Richardson scored early in the second period to the give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead.
Later in the second, Tony DeAngelo cleaned up a loose puck after Martin Hanzal attempted to send it home.
The DeAngelo goal was a much needed power play tally for the struggling special teams unit.
Alas, that was about all the highlights for the Yotes.
Vancouver wins 3-2.
Arizona Coyotes Player of the Game
Once again the Coyotes received stellar goaltending and once again they failed to reward their netminder with a victory.
Louis Domingue stopped 39 of 42 shots, and the final goal was a penalty shot thanks to a penalty on a breakaway attempt for Ben Hutton.
Domingue was sharp and has now put together three strong games in his last four outings, slowly remedying his rough start.
The View From The 200 Level
The Brad Richardson injury was a major blow to the Arizona Coyotes.
Not only was Richardson having a strong season, but it came as the Coyotes had just taken a 2-0 lead over the Canucks.
The team completely fell apart afterward, and one could argue perhaps understandably so.
Now the drama surrounding Dylan Strome will intensify with a spot in the lineup (likely) permanently open for the duration of the season.
That is if Dave Tippett doesn’t blame Strome for the Hutton penalty shot and goal in overtime.
He shouldn’t, because that goal is on the head coach.
Tipp felt like Strome should get a chance in the 3-on-3, but he didn’t trust him defensively. So he decided to put Shane Doan out with #20 to cover his backside, so to speak, as well as Alex Goligoski’s.
The issue there is that neither Strome nor Doan are fleet of foot. One isn’t a great skater and the other is old and showing it this season.
All it would take is a bad bounce or turnover to give the Canucks a breakaway opportunity and that’s exactly what happened.
That goal isn’t on the players on the ice, it’s on a bad line combination that wasn’t suited to the breakneck pace of 3-on-3 hockey.
One final note regarding the Coyotes centers on Max Domi and Anthony Duclair.
These two are dynamite talents but they are frustrating fans with their deference and overpassing in the offensive zone.
It would be nice to hear the coaching staff has taken them aside – particularly Duclair – and given them the green light to shoot with abandon at any opportunity.
Next: Max Domi Piling Up Points Without Scoring Goals
It’s not like there are many better options in the lineup.
The Arizona Coyotes play again against San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena on Saturday night.