Arizona Coyotes: Brad Richardson has historic night against Vancouver
By James Reeve
The Arizona Coyotes picked up their fifth consecutive victory in a 5-2 rout of the Vancouver Canucks, in a historic night for Brad Richardson.
Brad Richardson has been a solid player for the Arizona Coyotes for almost four full seasons now, but no one could have imagined the kind of season he has had in 2018/19.
Richard, 33, has played for four different teams in the NHL, grafting out a niche role as a defensive forward while suiting up for the likes of the Coyotes, Canucks, LA Kings and Colorado Avalanche.
He hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012, a season that saw him register just eight points (five goals, three assists) in 59 games.
Brad Richardson is the first @ArizonaCoyotes player to record a 4-goal game since Keith Tkachuk on March 20, 1997.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 1, 2019
It's the first ever 4-goal game by a Coyote on home ice
Heading into this season, the veteran centre’s best season total came, funnily enough, in his first with the Coyotes – when he earned 11 goals and 20 assists in a full 82-game campaign.
Injuries shortened Richardson’s season the following year, with the Belleville, Ontario native on pace to destroy his best season with 46 points after earning nine (five goals, four assists) in just 16 games.
After earning 14 goals in the 2006/07 season with the Avalanche, Richardson hasn’t managed to eclipse 11 goals in any of his subsequent NHL seasons – until this one.
Heading into last night’s game, Richardson had 12 goals on the year – his second-highest tally in a single season.
Upon finishing the game, Richardson now has a new career-high for goals scored in a single campaign.
Rick Tocchet‘s system has clearly been working wonders with Richardson, who managed to score four goals against the Canucks – helping to break both personal and franchise records.
Richardson’s tally is only the second time a Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes player has achieved this, with the first being Keith Tkachuk back in 1997.
It is also the very first time it has happened on home ice, with Richardson now holding a record for the first player in franchise history to achieve this in front of the team’s own fans.
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The veteran centre now leads the Coyotes in goals this season with 16, ahead of Alex Galchenyuk – who also added another goal in the heavy victory.
What makes Richardson’s accomplishment so impressive, is the fact that last season he had just three goals in the entire campaign.
His four goals last night eclipsed an entire season of work for Richardson, who looks more than comfortable in the Coyotes’ push for the playoffs.
The victory sees the Coyotes sitting just one point outside of the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference – and now the team are just TWO points away from the first wildcard spot.
If Richardson continues his strong form, the Coyotes have a real shot at creeping into the playoffs – making them arguably the greatest story in the league this season.
Richardson himself had to overcome injury to return to the team and he couldn’t have returned at a better time and better drive than what is being experienced at present.
Next. Darcy Kuemper flourishing as a starter. dark
What do you think Coyotes fans? How impressed have you been with Richardson’s performances this year? And how impressive was last night’s record-breaking game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!