The Arizona Coyotes kicked off the 2019-20 season with a bang last night facing off against the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim. What began with a great start for the “Yotes turned bad when they failed to finish on numerous chances. The Coyotes fell 2-1 to the Ducks to start the season, but that is not the full story.
If you did not get the chance to catch the full game last night check out this great highlight package courtesy of the NHL.
Although the Coyotes lost last night there are still plenty of things to take away from the game for Coyotes fans. Let’s jump right in with our three takeaways from last nights loss to the Ducks.
Not easy playing from behind
The Coyotes were playing from behind throughout most of tonight’s game. Moving forward the Coyotes need to focus on getting on the board early. It is a lot easier to play with a lead than it is to play from behind.
First Line Success
Out of all the forwards in the game last night for the Coyotes Clayton Keller Derek Stepan and Phil Kessel lead the team with TOI for forwards. Their line was responsible for a lot of scoring chances throughout the game and even capitalized on one during the second period. The line as a unit tallied 6 shots on goal combined.
Individually the line did a lot of things right as well. Keller drew a penalty during the third period which gave the ‘Yotes an opportunity to tie the game. Also if it was not for a missed call in the first the Ducks would not have scored their first goal of the game. Keller drew a penalty behind the play that was missed which eventually lead to the goal.
Phil Kessel also tallied his first point as a Coyote, on a great goal by Derik Stepan.
The Keller - Stepan - Kessel line has been fun, fast, and created a ton of chances thus far tonight. They even have a goal as a unit. We need them to make an impact in the third! #yotes #HockeyTwitter https://t.co/5ZetXcuCmX
— Howlin' Hockey (@HowlinHockey) October 4, 2019
Failure to connect on the power play
I can not stress this enough. You need to score on the power play. When you are down by a goal in the third period and get a power play, you need to score. The Coyotes basically handed the Ducks the game when they failed to connect on the power play.
I know our power play was not the best last season, and still has a lot of growing to do. I just hope it can do it fast.
Moving Forward
Just because we lost does not mean there were no positives to take away from the game. Phil Kessel had this to say about the loss :
"We've got a good group in here and I believe in us. I think we're going to be just fine."
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) October 4, 2019
More from Phil Kessel: pic.twitter.com/yl0TCsMupq
I still really like the Coyotes chances to succeed after the game. Sure, they ran into a hot goaltender, and sure the offense had some times they could not get anything done last night. At the same time, it was just one game.
Christian Dvorak won 5 of 7 faceoffs, and Darcy Kuemper made some great saves keeping the Coyotes in the game. The first 7 minutes was amazing to watch, and I think moving forward the Coyotes need to focus on playing a full game like that. With speed, getting pucks in deep, and generating chances.
Arizona fans do not have to worry about this loss for very long. The Coyotes are back in action tomorrow night against the Boston Bruins!