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Arizona Coyotes to Test Their Resiliency Against the Toronto Maple Leafs

By Scott Thompson

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 10: Barrett Hayton #29of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates with teammates on the bench after getting his first NHL point against the Vegas Golden Knights at Gila River Arena on October 10, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. Hayton was playing in his first career NHL game. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 10: Barrett Hayton #29of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates with teammates on the bench after getting his first NHL point against the Vegas Golden Knights at Gila River Arena on October 10, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. Hayton was playing in his first career NHL game. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Are the Arizona Coyotes relevant enough to be thought of as participating in a “trap” game against the Maple Leafs?

No. The answer is no. The Arizona Coyotes are about to face off against a historically famous and perennially relevant opponent in the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night at Gila River Arena.

The Coyotes’ late-season success last year and early success thus far this season does not, in any way, shape, or form, allow them to mistakenly assume that the ‘Yotes are superior on the ice to an organization so steeped in tradition as the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (9-10-4, 22 points) have a star-studded roster replete with play-making individuals. They play in the highly-competitive Atlantic Division against powerhouses like the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, and they are closely scrutinized by the media and by their fans on and off the ice.

The Arizona Coyotes, however, are relatively new to the reality of winning hockey. They’ve been “scratchin’ and clawin'” for years trying to gain the respect of the rest of the NHL, but, for one reason or another, they have had limited success.

It is ludicrous, then, to consider Thursday night’s contest a “trap” game when the Arizona Coyotes’ body of work consists of barely missing the playoffs last season and having positive results thus far in the current campaign. The Coyotes are still evolving and getting their skates solidly beneath them, so to speak, both on the ice and off. They are to a great extent a young team learning its way, including how to effectively handle a unique commodity: Success.

I think we’d all agree, Coyotes’ players and staff included, that looking “past” any team and thus taking them lightly is pure folly. The ‘Yotes resume doesn’t allow them to take anyone for granted. That’s why they need to play their normally consistent and resilient style of game, night in and night out, to have any chance of winning. One game at a time boys!

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be here Thursday night ready to do battle with the Arizona Coyotes, and that’s exactly as it should be. Two hungry teams, regardless of past history, will go head-to-head to prove their mettle, regardless of their current records and who they may play next. Let’s go Coyotes!

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