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The schedule that could ruin the Coyotes playoff odds

By Scott Thompson

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 19: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 and Michael Grabner #40 of the Arizona Coyotes get ready during a face-off against the Ottawa Senators at Gila River Arena on October 19, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 19: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 and Michael Grabner #40 of the Arizona Coyotes get ready during a face-off against the Ottawa Senators at Gila River Arena on October 19, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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We initially looked at the impact that injuries have on a team’s ability to make the playoffs. In this post we explore how the regular season schedule may influence a playoff run.

Although the Arizona Coyotes play an 82 game regular season schedule like every other team in the NHL, all schedules are not necessarily equal. There are divisional factors that come into play that have a significant impact upon the success or failure of a team’s efforts to make the NHL playoffs. Regarding the Coyotes, the relative strength of the current Pacific Division is important to note.

The 8-team Pacific Division is perennially competitive. In addition to the Coyotes, it includes currently strong teams like the Edmonton Oilers, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, and the surprising Vancouver Canucks. The division is also represented by such historically competitive and relevant teams like the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and Calgary Flames.

When compared to the entire NHL, is the Pacific Division competitively weak or strong? Regardless of your assessment, intra-division games are critically important to win to maximize valuable points while creating distance between the Coyotes and their competitors in the standings.

“Scratchin’ and clawin‘” to gain that coveted but elusive extra point in overtime and/or shootout games becomes even more crucial, as those single points may be the difference between being a part of the postseason and watching it on TV.

Regardless of who the opponents are, amassing points is the goal of every team that’s enamored with the dream of reaching the playoffs. For the Coyotes, doing it early in the season is certainly preferable to having to chase other teams higher in the standings and helplessly hoping that the opposition experiences lengthy losing streaks late in the campaign. The Arizona Coyotes (9-4-2) have thus far amassed 20 points in their first 15 games of the 2019-20 season. Last year they had 15 points (7-7-1) after 15 games.

The number of back-to-back games the Arizona Coyotes play during the regular season should also be factored in, and there are 11 more such scenarios scheduled, beginning with away games against the Washington Capitals and the St. Louis Blues on November 11 and 12 respectively.

As the season progresses, back-to-back games and the travel involved can negatively affect the Coyote’s ability to compete for a playoff spot. The extensive time and miles required for the Coyotes to travel to 41 regular season destinations can take its toll, and the “piggybacking” of games in a compressed schedule does no team any favors.

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