Arizona Coyotes Gain Hjalmarsson, But Lose to Penguins in Shootout
The Coyotes celebrated the return of stalwart defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, but lost in an 8-round shootout to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Sunday matinee game between the Coyotes and the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins featured something new and some “things” old – too old.
What’s new? Defender Niklas Hjalmarsson returned to the ice after missing 43 games, and the timing couldn’t be better. The team needs his skill and leadership. “Hammer” had an assist on Derek Stepan’s goal, too! Welcome back Nik!
What’s new AND old? Antti Raanta is injured. Again.
Having our tandem of top goalkeepers “broken” to some extent is a major challenge for the ‘Yotes. Not having the netminders consistently there to clean up after defensive lapses makes everyone’s jobs more difficult. It will be interesting to see how the organization responds to this current crisis.
For example, will they ride it out with Adin Hill in net, placing more of the defensive responsibilities on the skaters, both on offense and defense? Do they allow Ivan Prosvetov, the youngster temporarily up from the Roadrunners, to have his shot? He most certainly will if Adin Hill goes down. Or will the Coyotes entertain the idea of a goalie “rental” from outside the organization until both of the top guys are back?
My guess is that the ‘Yotes will do their best to get through the break with Hill in net (and intact) with the intention of having Kuemper and Raanta ready to play post-break. Sort of an “intent to have Hill intact in net” scenario if you will. Whew!
Yesterday’s game also included “old” scenarios – needless penalties. A pair of those two-minute sin bin sessions resulted in power-play opportunities for the lethal Penguins’ power-play unit, and the resulting goals were predictable. That PP “pp” unit is impressive!
Anyway, it’s one thing to commit “reluctant but necessary” fouls on a breakaway or under other “highly likely to score” scenarios, but not skating and/or tripping someone in the “O” zone. I know the team is fatigued from too much travel, playing a contracted schedule, and being beat up, but so is the opposition, so come on.
The Coyotes’ power play hasn’t borne much fruit lately overall, but Taylor Hall has been impressive. He can’t carry the offensive load on his own. Once he settles in with his new linemates, however, the team’s scoring will increase both at even strength and on the power play.
All in all, the team is trending upward from the standpoint of getting defensively stronger with Nik Hjalmarsson’s return. Once he gets his game-fitness and endurance back, he’ll help solidify the “D” men. The offense will improve as Taylor Hall continues to settle in, and when the goalkeepers get healthy, things will get significantly better. We need it to.
Let’s trust that the long term plan is a good one and that the results will ultimately come. Let’s go Coyotes!