Arizona Coyotes Improve Their Play But Still Lose to Dallas Stars at Home

The Coyotes improved their level of play significantly on Sunday night and scored the first two goals of the game. Unfortunately, the Dallas Stars scored the final 4 goals, all in the third period.

The Sunday night game against the visiting Dallas Stars at Gila River Arena began promising enough, as the Arizona Coyotes scored the only two goals of the first period. Unlike their game the night before in Las Vegas, the ‘Yotes played aggressive, disciplined hockey during the first twenty minutes and the Stars couldn’t match their speed and quickness. The boys in Sedona red played well as five-man units on both ends of the ice, and it brought back memories of the more disciplined yet entertaining hockey of days gone by.

During the second period, it was clear that the Dallas Stars had decided to lean on their opponents more, and the game became very physical. The Stars’ hits became heavier, as they sought to neutralize the Coyotes’ speed and quickness by “banging” bodies, most often by crushing Coyotes against the boards and at speed. The Coyotes pretty much weathered the storm and retained their two-goal lead at the end of period two.

It was in the third period that the Stars began pressing the issue, managing to score their first goal and ultimately tie the game at 2 goals apiece shortly thereafter. Then they took the lead 3 to 2. Their final tally was an empty net goal with about ten seconds remaining in the game.

During the final period the Coyotes’ offensive attack evaporated, and the desert dogs could only muster a handful of shots. Why? Were they tired from playing the night before? The Dallas Stars played the previous day too, yet had enough resilience and energy to overtake the home team and steal a valuable two points in their Central Division standings.

My guess is that the loss against the Stars on Sunday stung more than the defeat at the hands of the Golden Knights on Saturday evening. The fact that the Coyotes played well for much of the game and led going into the final frame, only to have it slip away from them at home in front of a capacity crowd, is inexplicable and disappointing.

The Coyotes, stuck at 46 points, have lost three straight and 4 out of their past 5 games at a time when their division opponents are cranking things up and heading north. Just a few points separate the 4 or 5 best teams in the Pacific Division from one another. To make matters more challenging, the ‘Yotes play the champion St. Louis Blues at GRA on New Years’ Eve night, the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, January 2, and then the Philadelphia Flyers on January 4. Happy New Year!

As things get more competitive and the pressure to win increases, every player on every team in the NHL will get an up close and personal look at themselves and whether they have what it takes to fight through adversity and claim the ultimate prize. It’s going to be fun and exciting, yet stressful and nerve-wracking as well – for all of us!

Let’s hope that the Coyotes can figure out a way to figure themselves out. Wait, what? Let’s go Coyotes!