Arizona Coyotes continue to break records in playoff hunt
By James Reeve
The Arizona Coyotes have had a season worthy of a novel, but the team isn’t done and have broken another franchise record.
Last season’s Arizona Coyotes was the worst team in the Western Conference, but this season has seen the team completely change the script and push for a playoff place.
On route to their playoff chase, the Coyotes have seen records broken by the likes of Clayton Keller (fastest to 100 points) and Brad Richardson (first four-goal game on home ice) but the team isn’t done with what could be viewed as a historic season for the team.
One aspect of the game that the Coyotes have become well-regarded for is their penalty killing ability and the number of short-handed goals the team has this season.
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In the 2018/19 season, the Coyotes have 16 short-handed goals – just two behind league-leaders the Calgary Flames.
This 16-goal tally, however, has set a single-season franchise record that has stood since the original Winnipeg Jets scored 15 in the 1988/89 season.
The team’s 16th short-handed goal came courtesy of the Coyotes’ short-handed specialist, Michael Grabner – who in fact leads the entire NHL with six.
The Coyotes have a battle ahead, with the Colorado Avalanche jumping over them in the standings and the penalty kill is an area that the team will need to continue to step up if they hope to break into the post-season for the first time in six seasons.
Having records being broken across a season such as this adds to the special feeling that fans have had for this group of players, with so much adversity being overcome to get the team to where it currently is.
Head coach Rick Tocchet deserves every accolade possible if he can guide this team into the playoffs, especially with how good he has seen his team’s penalty killing unit perform.
The season isn’t over, so more records could be broken or extended and no matter where the team eventually finishes, it will be a season that Arizona Coyotes fans can truly feel proud about.
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What do you think Coyotes fans? How pleased have you been with this team this season? How close do you think the playoff hunt will be by the end of the season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!