Arizona Coyotes 3 Stars of the week 10/27 – 11/3
By Jim Lynch
Another week of hockey behind us. The Arizona Coyotes played 3 games during the past week and managed to win 2 very good games. Even though the team dropped one game that does not change how well the team played.
The Arizona Coyotes played 3 games this week against tough opponents, first it was the Buffalo Sabres to conclude the Coyotes east coast trip, then it was the Montreal Canadiens at home, and yesterday it was the Colorado Avalanche.
We already chalked the Montreal game up as a loss due to being tired from a long road trip, but the other two games were very successful. The ‘Yotes found a way to beat a very good Colorado team and managed to come back from behind again against the Buffalo Sabres.
You can thank our first star of the week for both of the Coyotes wins, so without further ado let’s jump in with this week’s 3 stars of the week!
(Last weeks Stars: 3 Oliver Ekman-Larsson, 2 Nick Schmaltz, 1 Michael Grabner)
Number 3 Star of the week: Alex Goligoski
Alex Goligoski is continuing the 3 stars of the week tradition that Oliver Ekman-Larsson set the last two weeks of having a blueliner for the third star. Goligoski played great the past week against some tough opponents.
Goligoski registered 24:32 minutes of time on ice on average through the Coyotes last 3 games. He also has an assist per game, including on power-play assist.
The Coyotes need to have their blue line make a difference in the offensive zone, and Goligoski has been doing just that so far this season with 9 points through 13 games.
Number 2 Star of the week: Darcy Kuemper
Darcy Kuemper is a brick wall. Kuemper played in 2 games this week, the two wins for the Coyotes. Kuemper stopped all 33 shots on goal the other night against the highly skilled Colorado Avalanche.
Kuemper’s first shutout of the season is reason alone to give him the number 2 star of the week. When you factor in the effort he had against the Buffalo Sabres, when he made 24 saves, including saves in the shootout, there is no doubt in my mind Kuemper deserves to be the number 2 star of the week.
The Arizona Coyotes have had great goaltending all year, and a big reason for that is Darcy Kuemper.
Number 1 Star of the week: Conor Garland
Conor Garland keeps finding a way to put the puck in the net. In 3 games Garland found a way to score 2 goals and 1 assist for the ‘Yotes. Garland’s first goal of the week came against the Buffalo Sabres. The ‘Yotes found themselves down 2-0 against the high flying Sabres, and Garland found a way to answer.
Conor Garland continues to score key goals for the Coyotes. His goals have been ways to lift the team against opponents. The goals Garland is scoring are influential for the team, and he keeps scoring a lot.