Arizona Coyotes Cautiously Optimistic on Heels of Recent 3 Points
The Arizona Coyotes are clinging to their hopes of making the playoffs based upon their two consecutive, solid performances on the road. Hopefully they’ll make it three.
Just like any other team, the Arizona Coyotes could’t afford to spend too much time worrying about who wasn’t on the ice as they prepared for Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Monday’s ultimate result was indeed a shocking yet pleasant surprise, because based upon the first two minutes of the Montreal Canadiens‘ tilt, the results were anticipated to be really ugly.
But alas, the Coyotes awoke from their funk and made their fans proud by fighting back with grit and showing the NHL why the team is a viable and entertaining playoff team. The last of our goals by Taylor Hall and Jakob Chychrun on Monday night were lasers that were particularly impressive.
Although the Coyotes didn’t play as flashy of a game on Tuesday night (you can count Toronto in that category too) , they gutted it out and almost won in overtime. Derek Stepan was accused of interfering with goalkeeper Jack Campbell on a shot by Jakob Chychrun, so the goal was disallowed. Shortly thereafter, Kasperi Kapanen beat Adin Hill and gained their much needed additional point.
The overall performances of the Coyotes’ were encouraging signs for the ‘Yotes’ faithful as they all cling to their shaky playoff hopes. The Desert Dogs showed some toughness and determination in the past two games, and even the OT loss in Toronto can’t dull the enthusiasm and mojo that the Coyotes should be taking into Ottawa on Thursday night.
We mentioned earlier in the week that the ‘Yotes will face some tough teams when they get home, but the current mantra remains “one at a time, boys”! Playing some impressive hockey night after night when at least one of your top two goalkeepers is on the fritz is amazing, but can’t continue much longer.
No rest for the weary, however, and the Coyotes will need to continue finding ways to outscore their opponents even when Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta are healthy. Adin Hill has been admirable while holding the fort, but the ‘Yotes’ best net minders need to be ready to play their best in the postseason.
As the team prepares for the Ottawa Senators‘ game on Thursday night, I’m sure there will be some scoreboard watching by the Arizona group as their opponents jockey for position. All the Coyotes can do is take care of their own business, and it continues in Ottawa tomorrow night. One at a time, boys. Let’s go Coyotes!