Howlin' Hockey
Fansided

Coyotes are about to embark on a Pacific Division showdown

By Jim Lynch

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 12: Taylor Hall #91 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Gila River Arena on January 12, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 12: Taylor Hall #91 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Gila River Arena on January 12, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

When I look at the Coyotes schedule the next 5 games I can not help but smile. The next few games can really establish where they will fall in the standings within the next few months, and honestly, I think they are up for the challenge.

Tonight we kick things off at home against one of our divisional rivals the San Jose Sharks. This is a must win game for the Coyotes who have failed to win some big games the last week. Right now we are in the race for the top spot in the Pacific Division, but winning games against your own division is critical especially when it involves keeping one opponent down in the standings.

San Jose has struggled this season. They currently find themselves in sixth place with 47 points, but they are only 8 points behind us. We need to get this win tonight to ensure we have the leg up on the Sharks. Not just that, but the Coyotes have a slew of games against divisional opponents coming up.

Thursday the Coyotes will travel to Vancouver to take on the Vancouver Canucks. Another Pacific Division foe with a lot on their minds. The Canucks have been playing some great hockey recently. They have two games in hand on the Coyotes and are only one point behind us. Beating them is imperative for the Coyotes, but it doesn’t stop Thursday.

Saturday the Coyotes will be in Edmonton to play the Oilers, another team competing for the Pacific Division’s three playoff spots. It is funny that the Oilers have fallen in the standings, it isn’t like they got any worse, it is just everyone else is so close in skill right now. There is only one point that separates the Flames and Coyotes from Vancouver and Vegas, and there is just one more point separating Edmonton from all the rest.

It is going to be a dog fight to get to the playoffs in the Pacific Division, and here is hoping we have what it takes to make it! After Edmonton, on Sunday the Coyotes will enjoy some downtime as the NHL all-star game takes place. However, after the break the Coyotes will jump back in with two more Pacific Division games against the Kings and Ducks.

Winning in your own division is necessary to win it all, and I believe the Coyotes have the power to do it! All we need is our top players to play like our top players and their is no reason we shouldn’t win 4 out of the next 5 games!

Home/Coyotes News