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Arizona Coyotes : Top 5 Observations so far in 2019

By Jim Lynch

WINNIPEG, MB - OCTOBER 15: Carl Soderberg #34, Jakob Chychrun #6, Nick Schmaltz #8, Conor Garland #83 and Jordan Oesterle #82 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrate a second period goal against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on October 15, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - OCTOBER 15: Carl Soderberg #34, Jakob Chychrun #6, Nick Schmaltz #8, Conor Garland #83 and Jordan Oesterle #82 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrate a second period goal against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on October 15, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Coyotes have played 7 games so far this season, and with things at a standstill until the ‘Yotes game on Tuesday let’s recap some of our thoughts so far this season.

Expectations can be a hard thing to grasp for an NHL team. In a league with so much parity you never know who will make the playoffs year in and year out, which makes this season’s Coyotes team that much more fun to watch.

However, following 2 losses to start the year the team was left with more doubt than ever. Where is the power play at? Why is no one scoring? Is Phil Kessel still Phil Kessel, and will we ever win a game?

Things have changed for the Coyotes, after losing the first two games of the season by just one goal they have turned things around and have gone 4-0-1 in the last 5 games. The power play has come together, and goals are being scored by everyone even the defense.

With all that in mind let’s take a look at some of our thoughts among the staff after the first 7 games of the season.

1. Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta are the real deal

The goalies have been superb throughout the entire set of games so far this season. Kuemper is breaking records night in and night out for giving up two goals or less, and Raanta has been solid when he is in the net.

If you have solid goaltending you have a chance to make the playoffs every year, and the Coyotes have it. I am excited to see what the Coyotes decide to do with Eric Comrie. Comrie has not found any time in the net through the first 7 games, but the Coyotes have not had any strenuous schedule times yet where the team plays back to back or 5 games in 7 days or anything like that.

Comrie’s time will come for the Coyotes, otherwise, I do not know why they picked him up from waivers. However, a goalie can only be as good as the difference in front of them.

2 The defense keeps finding a way to make a difference

No matter who goes down on the Coyotes defense, players are stepping up. After losing Niklas Hjalmarsson we questioned whether the team would falter, they did not. After losing Jordan Oesterle we questioned whether the team would lose their momentum, and they did not again.

You have to thank the play of the Coyotes players on the blue line for sustaining dominance in their own zone. As of now, the Coyotes rank 1st in the NHL with goals against at 13. Only 13 goals through 7 games. The average is 24 goals against, wow.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has stepped up in the absence of Hjalmarsson and Oesterle. He is averaging 24:17 minutes of ice time and scored a big goal last night against the Senators.

Kyle Capobianco also had his first NHL goal the other night for the Coyotes, everyone is making an impact from the blue line.

3. Nick Schmaltz is coming into his own

Nick Schmaltz is stepping into his own in Arizona. After being injured last season he now seems to be rising to the occasion this year. He is on a 5 game point streak, capturing 8 points in that time, including 5 assists.

Schmaltz has made his home on the second line next to players like Christian Dvorak and Conor Garland. I think Schmaltz should be given an opportunity on the top line along with Kessel and Stepan. Schmaltz has stepped up so far this season and is making highlight-reel passes.

Just watch as Schmaltz keeps defenders off the puck and sets up and open Christian Dvorak for the goal. Schmaltz is not the only player stepping up so far for the ‘Yotes.

4. Players are stepping up

The Arizona Coyotes have 21 goals so far this season, and 12 different goal scorers so far. Conor Garland leads the team in goals with 4 so far this year. The fast Garland has been quick to score a goal of the rush.

The 22-year-old Garland is finally stepping into his own for the ‘Yotes, hopefully, we can see more of that from him moving forward. Carl Soderberg also has 2 goals so far on the season, and Christian Dvorak has 3. A lot of different players are factoring into the Coyotes goal total, everyone except Clayton Keller.

5. Where is Clayton Keller?

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I know Clayton Keller has 6 points so far this season, all assists. However, you want to see your top players score big goals. I hope going forward we see Keller make a difference for the team, otherwise, he might drop down a line for the up and coming to Nick Schmaltz. He is generating offense, but we need him to do more.

The Coyotes will face off against the New York Rangers on Tuesday. Until then take some time to ponder your thoughts from the Coyotes season so far.

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