The Arizona Coyotes had a very productive week recently. The team managed to go 3-1 last week, and they did it with some very tough games on their schedule.
A back to back trip where you face off against the last two Stanley Cup Champions is a rarity in the NHL, and yet the Coyotes faced just that and won both games nonetheless. Arizona made many people turn their heads and watch in awe as they topped both the Capitals and Blues in a shoot out.
The game against Minnesota can be forgotten, it was the 3rd game in 4 days, and the team was not ready to face off against an opponent that did not have a recent Championship banner in their rafters. That is ok because what followed at home on Saturday is what earned a few players their star of the week.
Winning on Saturday at home against a divisional opponent is a must in the NHL, and the Coyotes did it in shut out fashion, earning one player his third star of the week. Let’s jump right in with our 3 stars of the week!
(Last weeks Stars: 3 Jakob Chychrun, 2 Vinnie Hinostroza, 1 Michael Grabner)
Number 3 Star of the week: Darcy Kuemper
Let’s just go out and say it. Darcy Kuemper is not here because he pitched a shut out against the Calgary Flames, or even the fact that he helped the Coyotes steal a game from the St. Louis Blues in a shoot out. No Kuemper is here for something else.
Watching a goalie step up and defend one of his teammates is what makes hockey great. Just watch what Kuemper did the other night.
You could say things got heated at the end of the second period. pic.twitter.com/cC5GZZ4rE2
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) November 16, 2019
Oh, Kuemper also won both games he played in last week and posted a .972 save percentage.
Number 2 Star of the week: Conor Garland
The reaction for Conor Garland’s play this season from fans should be the same as a little kid’s reaction to a bunny coming out of a hat – pure joy and shock. Conor Garland has been the best Coyotes player all season, and the crazy thing is his prospect page is still fresh.
Garland is yet to play in 100 NHL games, and yet he leads the team in goals with 9 already this season. Garland put up 2 in the past week and continues to grow into a scoring machine in the NHL.
Number 1 Star of the week: Clayton Keller
I am not going to lie. I have been a big critic of Clayton Keller so far this season. However, his 2 goals and 1 assist were a step in the right direction last week.
Keller is finding ways to be productive despite a new type of role on the team. Keller average only 15:14 minutes of ice time in the last four games. That is a solid set of minutes for a top 6 player, but he is below players like Conor Garland and Nick Schmaltz.
Hopefully, Keller can continue to produce while also making an impact in his own end. His defensive play is a big reason he is a minus one in the plus/minus department. I know a stat like that is not the end of the world but still.