Arizona Coyotes blow past Predators by a score of 5-2
By Jim Lynch
![GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 17: Christian Dvorak #18 of the Arizona Coyotes is congratulated by teammate Kyle Capobianco #75 as he skates off the ice after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Gila River Arena on October 17, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 17: Christian Dvorak #18 of the Arizona Coyotes is congratulated by teammate Kyle Capobianco #75 as he skates off the ice after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Gila River Arena on October 17, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3a360c74064d1613d07639e8bf61b0f345dba0de34de0476c7db7673a5db1319.jpg)
The Arizona Coyotes managed to win yet again last night! The Coyotes beat the Nashville Predators by a score of 5-2, but it was no cakewalk.
In what started off as a fun night where the Coyotes were honoring the creation of their Hispanic Advisory Board, took a turn for the worse early. It only took 7 seconds for the Coyotes game plan and strategy to change tonight.
Jordan Oesterle took a puck to the back of the head by Ryan Ellis’s shot from the point. The puck went high into the air and hit Oesterle at an awkward angle at the back of his head. Arizona had lost Hjalmarsson earlier in the week so losing Oesterle turns a hurting defense critical.
Hockey is a sport, and these players are people. Thoughts and prayers are with #82 at this time, but the fact that he managed to get up and skate off of the ice is a good sign, he most likely suffered a concussion on the play.
Our Coyotes managed to rally behind the team once again to get a win for an injured player. You could see how deflated Darcy Kuemper looked after the injury to Oesterle, and you could also see his performance last night.
Darcy Kuemper played amazing, yet again. Kuemper made 23 saves on 25 shots last night, and some of them were highlight real saves yet again.
The third period was not the easiest period for the Coyotes, and Kuemper was forced to keep the team in it. Kuemper did his job yet again last night, and is earning every bit of the contract he signed for next season. If Kuemper continues to play at the level he is now. John Chayka is going to be smiling that he managed to sign the 29-year-old goalie for just 4.5 million.
One player finally showed up on the score sheet last night. PHIL KESSEL BABY! In our preview for the game yesterday, we mentioned how vital it would be to get Kessel on the score sheet, and he finally did. Kessel scored 2 power play goals that helped lift the Coyotes over Nashville.
Keller to Kessel.
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) October 18, 2019
You can get used to that one, Arizona. pic.twitter.com/L1IfKzywul
You could see how excited the crowd was to finally cheer for a Kessel goal, and hopefully we can do it more and more throughout the year.
Tonight was an example of how fast the Coyotes can play. Most of their goals were scored off of the rush and was simply just them playing faster and more skilled. Like come on, check out Christian Dvorak’s goal tonight.
Good stuff.
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) October 18, 2019
1-0 #LosYotes pic.twitter.com/eFwM3nwmGj
That is a pretty snipe. Dvorak now has 4 goals so far on the season. Only one player has been better than Dvorak the last few games, his line-mate Nick Schmaltz.
Schmaltz was responsible for one of the best no-look passes I have seen in a long time last night. I think he is finally starting to pick up the skills he learned from his old linemate in Chicago Patrick Kane.
Schmaltz with the no-look pass. 👀 pic.twitter.com/cs5XRs0V9V
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) October 18, 2019
Schmaltz has 7 points in the last 4 games, and he has the key to our hearts in Arizona.
Momentum seems to have carried over from the Coyotes game against Winnipeg, just as we predicted! Arizona will have a day off before facing off against Ottawa on Saturday. So let’s all get ready to cheer on the Coyotes tomorrow at home once again!