Arizona Coyotes Take Road Show to Philadelphia for Thursday Night Clash

The road warriors from Arizona will need to maintain their composure and play much more disciplined hockey to beat the Flyers in Philly.

Arizona Coyotes Head Coach Rick Tocchet categorized the team’s performance in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday night as “sloppy.” The fast pace of the game was entertaining for the fans, as speed and skill were on full display, but success for the Coyotes cannot be achieved merely with speed and razzle-dazzle play.

Nope, in the Coyotes’ case, there has to be a method to their madness, and that involves coordinated effort and discipline. What’s “pretty” to adoring, supportive fans might give migraines to the coaching staff if the disciplined display of hockey goes asunder.

The ‘Yotes will need to play particularly well in the “D” zone to neutralize playmakers like Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, Claude Giroux, and Jakub Voracek.

Those talented gents in orange cannot be given too much space in which to work, or the Coyotes will have their hands full keeping track of them and goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper could be left facing a lot of rubber.

If the Coyotes can play their blue-collar, grinding, “challenge for every puck” style of hockey, they’ll stand a good chance of beating Philadelphia tonight. They’ll need to maximize their effective “5-man unit up and down the ice” tactic to out-man the Flyers. They will also have to cycle in the “O” zone early on and throughout the game, and challenge for and maintain possession of the puck below the goal line and in the corners.

If the power play unit can build on its successful play against the Columbus Blue Jackets, it will help tremendously against the red-hot Flyers. Similarly, if the Coyotes’ penalty-killing unit can successfully defend the house while a man down, the ‘Yotes will be in good shape. The ideal scenario, of course, would be not committing any penalties at all, but if that’s just wishful thinking, can we please score a short-handed goal like in the olden days, starring the dynamic duo of Michael Grabner and Brad Richardson?

In essence, the Coyotes are fully capable of beating the Flyers in Philly tonight if they maintain their composure and continue to attack and defend as a unit. They have a stingy defense supported by an outstanding goalkeeper, so if they play a solid and consistent road game on defense, they should be fine. The offense is primed and ready to roll! Let’s go Coyotes!