The Coyotes took care of business against the Avalanche on Saturday night!
The Arizona Coyotes (8-4-1, 17 points) played the second game of a brief two-game home stand against the talented but somewhat depleted Colorado Avalanche (8-4-2) on Saturday night, shutting them out 3 to 0 at Gila River Arena.
The ‘Yotes took advantage of the absence of Avalanche goal scorers Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog, both unable to play due to injuries. They also benefited from some much-needed rest and the opportunity to actually practice prior to the Saturday night contest.
The Coyotes’ effort displayed against the Avalanche on Saturday night was like night and day when compared to the October 30 tilt against the Montreal Canadiens. It was obvious in the game against the Canadiens that the Coyotes were exhausted and didn’t have their normal jump or energy to compete with a rested and waiting Canadiens’ team.
That all changed on Saturday, however, when the rested Arizona Coyotes engaged in their normal aggressive forechecking game while effectively shutting down the dangerous Avalanche in the ‘Yotes’ “D” zone.
As stalwart as ever, Coyotes goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper played another outstanding game and the Avalanche was shut out.
The next challenge for the desert dogs involves a trip to Edmonton for tonight’s contest against the very talented Oilers (10-4-1, 21 points). Led by high scoring forwards Leon Draisaitl (13 goals & 13 assists, 26 points), Connor McDavid (6 goals & 17 assists, 23 points), and the veteran James Neal (11 goals & 2 assists, 13 points), the Oilers will present a significant challenge for the Arizona Coyotes.
Although Coyotes’ defenseman Jordan Oesterle returned to the ice against the Avalanche, fellow defender Niklas Hjalmarsson continues the rehab of his broken leg and is still unavailable.
In order to be successful against the high-flying, high scoring Edmonton Oilers, the Arizona Coyotes will need to be on their front feet from the opening face-off.
A combination of aggressive forechecking in their “O” zone and using their speed and tenacity to frustrate the Oilers in the neutral zone, will allow the Coyotes to defend as a unit that’s backed up by an outstanding goalkeeper. Let’s go Coyotes!