The Arizona Coyotes found a way to win last night against the Washington Capitals despite giving up a big 3-0 lead.
Arizona did not play their best hockey game last night, despite a strong start once again. The narrative, as usual, was that the team scored earlier and often. After a mediocre first period where the team failed to get much done, despite one goal by Clayton Keller, the team really broke through in the second.
The Coyotes got two great goals to start the second period from Michael Grabner on a breakaway finally and Christian Fischer on a one-timer. Arizona seemed to be rolling along in this game after scoring twice, but then they looked at the scoreboard.
The Coyotes have not been the best team with a lead recently, we all know that. Despite scoring big in the first and second period the team has played on their heels and given up too many chances late in the game. Tonight was no different.
Arizona had a 3 goal lead when they started playing on their heels more. Oliver Ekman-Larsson was caught out of position, and so was the rest of the defense on multiple occasions. After starting off great the Coyotes blew it again, and this time they should have lost the game.
If it was not for Oshie being a little too early on a play in overtime the Arizona Coyotes would have lost in OT against the Capitals. Because of that many fans had a sour taste in their mouth following the win against the Capitals. Arizona just needs to get points right now, although I am not happy with the play we saw on the ice last night, getting the win is a positive in my eyes.
I think Antti Raanta summed up the feeling of the Coyotes after the game the best.
Antti Raanta (31 saves): “I don’t know if I want to ever be in a 3-0 lead again, or 3-1.”
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) November 12, 2019
Hopefully, Arizona can start playing better defense even with a lead tonight against St. Louis. We just beat the Stanley Cup Champions from two years ago, now let’s try to get it done against last year’s champion!