Arizona Coyotes vs Boston Bruins : 3 keys to the game for the Coyotes
The home opener is today for the Arizona Coyotes, and I am excited. The Coyotes have not won a home opener since the 2016-17 season. Even though it has been a while since the Coyotes have won the home opener, that does not mean it is impossible.
The Boston Bruins might look like an unbeatable team. They have size, speed, and skill. However that does not make them unbeatable, last year the Bruins lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the St. Louis Blues. Although they bring a similar team back for this season, it’s still a new year.
In the two games the Bruins and Coyotes played last year the Coyotes won neither of them. However both of their matchups last season were close games. The Coyotes lost by just one goal in both of the game last season, 2-1 on November 17th and 4-3 on December 11th. One big issue in both of the Coyotes games last season against the Bruins was the lack of time in the offensive zone. The Coyotes are going to need the puck in the offensive zone to beat the skilled Bruins.
One more piece from last season that is important to look at is the power play. The Coyotes went 1 for 6 on the power play last season against the Boston Bruins. If they converted just 2 more times against the Coyotes would have had a better chance to succeed last season.
With all that in mind let’s talk about our 3 keys to the game for tonight’s Arizona Coyotes game!
1 Get the first goal
I can not stress this enough. After the Coyotes loss to Anaheim one thing that was prevalent to me was it’s not fun playing from behind. In the home opener with your home crowd there to represent and add a spark to the team one thing you don’t want to do is give up the first goal.
The Coyotes need to get the first goal tonight and keep hammering down on the Bruins through the middle of the ice. If they can do that they will have a great opportunity to win.
2 Dump and chase is your friend
I think this key is pretty self-explanatory. Do not let a sloppy mistake in the neutral zone lead to a goal in your own end. The Bruins are a very fast skilled team, and if you cough up the puck in the neutral zone they will take advantage of that. The Coyotes need to simplify their game today and just try to get pucks in deep. Once that happens they can go on the forecheck to make something happen in the offensive zone.
When you get the puck in deep you give the opponent an opportunity to make a mistake, and eventually they will.
3 Take advantage of the home crowd
A home opener crowd is different. They are energetic, hopefully, and excited. Honestly nothing gets as similar to a playoff atmosphere then a home crowd during a season opener. The Coyotes are going to want to take advantage of the opportunity.
Last season the playoff push did not really start till the end of March for the Coyotes. Things are different this year, it starts now. Imagine if the Coyotes had won their games against the Bruins last season. That is another 4 points you can add to their total, enough to qualify them for the playoffs.
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Everyone has a job to do to help the Coyotes win. Whether it be Clayton Keller scoring a big goal, or Darcy Kuemper coming up big in net with a save everyone has a job to do. So do we as the fans. If you are going to the game today cheer as loud as you can, and support the Coyotes the best you can. The Coyotes have a chance to make the playoffs, and we have a role to play.
It’s game day folks, now obviously the power play needs to show up today, and obviously the Coyotes are going to need some depth scoring to succeed. But tonight against the Bruins, let’s just focus on scoring the first goal.