The Arizona Coyotes remain firmly in the playoff race after securing a 3-2 shootout victory over Western Conference rivals the Edmonton Oilers.
Josh Archibald and Vinnie Hinostroza scored in regulation for the Arizona Coyotes, but a tying goal 11 seconds from the end forced the two teams into overtime.
It was Hinostroza that secured the victory with a neat shootout goal, seeing his backhand effort slip beyond Miko Koskinen to give the Coyotes two victories in their past three games.
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As a result of defeating their fellow Western Conference team, the Coyotes now find themselves firmly back in the playoff race – sitting just one point outside the final wildcard spot.
With a 27-28-5 record, the Coyotes have just 22 games left of the season to truly make a push for the playoffs – with the Minnesota Wild currently sitting one point ahead of them.
The Coyotes also sit on the same points as the Colorado Avalanche, though the latter is ahead of them due to them having played one fewer game.
At the start of the 2018/19 campaign, the Arizona Coyotes were viewed as dark horses that could make a legitimate run at the playoffs.
Just a couple months later and that idea seemed laughable, with the Coyotes decimated by injuries and losing a number of games that saw them slip closer to the bottom of the table.
But Rick Tocchet‘s team continues to keep fighting, pulling off impressive wins against the likes of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars – putting them within breathing distance of the playoffs.
The Coyotes need to tighten up across the ice and put together consistent results, with the team’s lengthy win streaks often becoming sandwiched by lengthy losing streaks.
John Chayka will now be looking at the team’s position in the league with one eye on the trade deadline on February 25th – considering whether or not the team will be active, and in what way.
Richard Panik is still viewed as the player most likely to be traded, but if the Coyotes are still this close to the playoff that could change the team’s plans.
It’s an exciting time to be a Coyotes fan, with the team overcoming so much to still put themselves in a position to make the post-season for the first time in over six years.
Credit must be given to Tocchet for his ability to get this group of players working and pulling in the right direction together.
With players such as Christian Dvorak, Jason Demers and Michael Grabner all close to making a return, the Coyotes could have a legitimate push for the post-season and have some of their key players fit and healthy in time for that push.
What do you think Coyotes fans? Are you getting excited at the prospect of seeing the team in the playoffs? Or are you remaining calm and keeping expectations low? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!