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Arizona Coyotes Adjust Lineup in Preparation for Thursday Game

By Scott Thompson

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 28: Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Arizona Coyotes waits for a faceoff in the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 28, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 28: Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Arizona Coyotes waits for a faceoff in the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 28, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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More than a few things went sideways for the Coyotes on Tuesday night after a strong start against the Blues. Did the misleading final score give us some false hope?


The Arizona Coyotes ultimately lost by a single goal on Tuesday night, but was the game actually as close as a 4 to 3 final score sounds? Can some bad penalties, defensive lapses and mishaps, and lack of pucks on net be neatly tucked away as bad luck or aberrant behavior? The Desert Dogs showed some renewed fire near the end of the game and scored on a rare 6 on 5 opportunity, giving us a sliver of hope that the boys could tie the game at 4 and go into overtime. That would have been something! But when we thought about the entirety of the game later, we remembered that the first ten minutes of Tuesday night’s game was a joy to watch, but then the “heavy” Blues imposed their will on the Coyotes and the boys were playing on their back skates for much of the remainder of the game.

A goalkeeper like Darcy Kuemper that stands on his head night after night to keep his team within striking distance of a win cannot do it forever. Teams playing away games often try to play a conservative, defensive-minded puck-possession game, keeping the score close and then trying to steal two points near the end of the contest. When dumb penalties and blown coverages enter the mix, however, trouble comes knocking. The Arizona Coyotes are not good at surviving self-inflicted wounds. They cannot withstand mental lapses in their play against good teams. They won’t be successful without contributing to the offensive production of the team.

In tonight’s game, a healthy Antti Raanta will start in goal, and Ilya Lyubushkin will make his first defensive start, paired with Jordan Oesterle on the third line. Jakob Chychrun will be paired with Alex Goligoski on the first line, and Jason Demers and Niklas Hjalmarsson occupy the second. Defender Jordan Gross was sent to the taxi squad. The hope is that Lyubushkin, the most sizeable, physical defensive player on the roster, can help solidify the defense with his presence. Keep in mind, however that he’s been idle due to Covid quarantine and visa issues and will probably be a bit rusty. Even so, the Yotes are counting on him making a difference.

The Coyotes’ offense will be pretty much intact except for the addition of forward Michael Chaput, called up from the taxi squad to replace injured attacker Dryden Hunt. The offense will continue to focus on puck possession in the “O” zone for extended periods of time, especially getting pucks to the net. Only time will tell if tonight’s tweaks prove beneficial.

IMPORTANT SCHEDULING NOTE: Due to several additional Minnesota Wild players being added to the Covid-19 protocol list, the Coyotes will NOT be traveling to Minneapolis this weekend!

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