Arizona Coyotes 3 keys to victory over the New York Islanders

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The Arizona Coyotes have the second game of their four-game road trip. We have the full preview for tonight’s game.

Opponent Preview :

The Arizona Coyotes are facing off against the New York Islanders tonight. The Isles have been a very hot team as of late, they are currently riding a 4 game win streak.

Out of all the games, the Coyotes have played this season this is the first time they are playing a “hot” team. Yes, they played Colorado before they even lost a game, but that was still relatively early in the year.

With a team on a 4 game win streak, it will be hard to beat them. Especially with players like Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson having 11 points so far this season.

Catching up on the ‘Yotes :

The Coyotes have not played a game since Tuesday when they faced off against the New York Rangers. Now they had a long flight to get over to their next game… they are now in hey! New York again to faceoff against the Islanders. (It’s funny how road trips work like that)

The Coyotes have taken advantage of their time in New York to practice as a team for an extra day.

Wednesday's lesson. pic.twitter.com/h7vMdW4MX6
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) October 23, 2019

Hopefully, all that practice can translate to the ice.

How do we matchup:

Both the Islanders and Coyotes pride themselves on their defensive play. So going into tonight’s game it will be important to win the defensive battle. It is important to remember that one of these teams will be walking away with a loss tonight. Let’s just hope it is not the Coyotes.

To help win tonight, let’s check out our 3 keys to victory over the New York Islanders.

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 22: New York Rangers center Chris Kreider (20) looks to pass as Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) defends during the Arizona Coyotes and New York Rangers NHL game on October 22, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3 Win the defensive battle

The New York Islanders have only given up 20 goals all season, giving them the third-best goals-against number in the league. One team that is a little better in that category would be the Arizona Coyotes.

The Coyotes are a team that prides themselves on their defensive ability. It is their bread and butter. The Coyotes rank first in the league only giving up 15 goals against so far this season.

This has all the markings to be a defensive battle until the end. No matter who is in net the Coyotes should be solid, with Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta playing the best hockey of their career right now.

With the defense being a strength for both teams something else will need to make the difference for the Coyotes tonight.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 17: (L-R) Clayton Keller #9, Phil Kessel #81, Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23, Christian Dvorak #18 and Derek Stepan #21 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrate after Kessel scored a power play goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on October 17, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2 Win the Special teams battle

The New York Islanders are not the best team on the PK. The Islanders have a PK percentage of 73.68%, which is about 7 percent below the league average. While the ‘Yotes, on the other hand, are one of the best in the league while shorthanded. The Coyotes have a percentage of about 79% while shorthanded.

The power play is a strength for both teams. Arizona’s power play has been hot as of late, and so has the Islanders. If the Coyotes want to win they will need to play well on the special teams.

The New York Islanders are a great team on the power play, but we have the advantage on the PK, we need our power play to be the difference-maker tonight and help bring home a win for the Coyotes.

With two teams so locked down during 5 on 5 they will need to play well when given an opportunity. Which brings us to our first key to the game.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 10: Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates with teammate Christian Dvorak #18 after scoring a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period at Gila River Arena on October 10, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1 Start strong and start fast

The New York Islanders have not played a game since the 19th of October. They are very well rested for tonight’s matchup. However at the same time that might be a weakness.

When it comes to the NHL, being ready to start the game is very important. When you have had such a long time in-between game you might not have the best start.

I think tonight against the Islanders is the perfect time for the ‘Yotes to take advantage of a slow team that will be shaking off the rust from time off. Maybe it is just a few bad passes or maybe a missed assignment in the Islanders’ own end, regardless hopefully the Coyotes can take advantage. Let’s just hope to see if the Coyotes can take advantage and start strong.

In the Coyotes last game, it was the first period that really gave them an advantage. Yes, the ‘Yotes did not play well in the second and third but remember it was the fast start with over 20 shots in the first period that gave them a lead. Hopefully, they can do the same tonight against the Islanders, and finish as well.

Puck drop is at 4 pm eastern time, get ready Coyotes faithful.

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