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Arizona Coyotes fall to Blue Jackets despite late rush

By Jim Lynch

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 07: Phil Kessel #81 of the Arizona Coyotes congratulates teammate Carl Soderberg #34 after Soderberg's goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at Gila River Arena on November 07, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 07: Phil Kessel #81 of the Arizona Coyotes congratulates teammate Carl Soderberg #34 after Soderberg's goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at Gila River Arena on November 07, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Coyotes lost last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets in what should have been a guaranteed win against the Jackets.

The Coyotes lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team that had a record of 5-7-3 going into the game. Not very great if you ask me. I think the Coyotes just underestimated the Blue Jackets tonight, something that will let a weaker team win any game during the season.

The Arizona Coyotes need to focus on things just one game at a time, and it does not help when a fluke goal is scored right off puck drop. The ‘Yotes caught a bad break when Gustav Nyquist scored off a deflection in front of the net just 14 seconds into the game.

After that, it looked like the team was playing catch up the rest of the way, despite at one point having a 2-1 lead. The Coyotes kept taking step backs on the ice tonight. They shot themselves in the foot time and time again giving up bad penalties.

Arizona had 5 penalties last night, a personal best in my opinion. I completely understand taking a penalty at the right time or for the right reason, but some of them were just flat-out pointless. Barrett Hayton got caught with a bad tripping penalty and Ilya Lyubushkin took a holding call as well.

Arizona was lucky they only gave up one power-play goal tonight, it could have been a few more if it was not for the play of Darcy Kuemper once again. Kuemper played superbly throughout the night and made some great saves to keep the team in the game.

Michael Grabner was the player of the game tonight for the Coyotes. He was speedy and drew a penalty. Grabner could have scored a goal tonight if he was not dragged into the net. Even though he showed some discomfort after colliding with the net he got back out on the ice and he went up the ice a few more times with the puck.

In my eyes, no one has been better on the Coyotes bread and butter penalty kill then Grabner. Hopefully, the Coyotes can get back on track before this losing funk turns into a streak. Final score tonight 3-2 Columbus.

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