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Confident Arizona Coyotes Play Fourth Straight vs Blues

By Scott Thompson

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 08: Arizona Coyotes Defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) passes the puck during the game between Coyotes and Bruins on February 08, 2020, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Mark Box/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 08: Arizona Coyotes Defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) passes the puck during the game between Coyotes and Bruins on February 08, 2020, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Mark Box/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Arizona Coyotes confidence has increased over the three games of their series with the St. Louis Blues, as they’ve won two straight after losing the first by a single goal.

Confidence is a powerful yet fragile commodity in professional sports, and it can affect an entire team’s mindset and performance. The St. Louis Blues have hosted the Arizona Coyotes three times thus far, with the fourth game tonight at Enterprise Center. On paper, the Blues are the better team, except for perhaps the goalkeeper tandems. Few would argue that the Blue Notes have the recognizable “name” players while the Desert Dogs are considered by many to have a bunch of nameless, faceless, players that are fortunate to be on the ice at the same time as the “real” team.

Well, thankfully hockey is a team sport and results are ultimately based upon group performance. Are the Coyotes confident going into the Monday night contest in St. Louis? Based upon their recent results, they deserve to be even though they’re the visitors. What I appreciate most is the humility in which the Yotes maintain their quiet confidence. Are the St. Louis Blues a faithful bunch? Of course they are, at least publicly. But to be successful, that faith needs to be accompanied by actually proving your mettle on the ice.

Coyotes fans have every right to be proud of their team so early in this awkward season. I think everyone is pleasantly surprised at how well the incumbents have played with the new arrivals on the team and the physical nature in which they play. Coyotes fans are not used to seeing long periods of puck possession in the Yotes’ “O” zone nor witnessing physical play in the corners while forwards battle for the puck.

Regardless of how Monday night’s game ends up, it will be interesting to see how the Coyotes play at Gila River Arena on Saturday at 5 p.m. and again Monday at 2:00 p.m. against the too-familiar Blues. Will the comforts of home be a help or hindrance, or neither? Stay tuned!

I think we’re all looking forward to playing the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks later next week to see how the boys fare against different rosters and systems of play. As for as the Coyotes, a similar mindset and team-wide effort will result in consistent, confident play. Is that asking too much? No, it’s not. Let’s go Coyotes!

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