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Happy Fri-yay!! Arizona Coyotes Set to Open Mullett Arena (Yes, that ‘5000 seat place that an NHL team plays at’)

By Chris Donovan

MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 20: Clayton Keller #9 of the Arizona Coyotes skates the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on October 20, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Arizona Coyotes 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 20: Clayton Keller #9 of the Arizona Coyotes skates the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on October 20, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Arizona Coyotes 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Happy Friday ‘Yotes fans! Big night in Arizona Coyotes history as the team finally drops the puck on their home opener and the inaugural NHL game at the brand new, multipurpose ASU/Coyotes stadium, Mullett Arena.

Yes, Mullett Arena is that ‘5000 seat rink for an NHL team‘.

Today marks the start of a three year period where the team will play in the NHL’s most intimate setting. Fittingly, the Winnipeg Jets come to town to take on the former Winnipeg Jets.

Tonight’s matchup should be an interesting one, depending on which Coyotes team shows up. We have seen glimpses of a team that can make any team in the league uncomfortable. With our knack for scoring powerplay goals, our team’s physicality is important as it typically gets the opposition off of their game and lulls them into committing undisciplined/retaliatory penalties. When 8 of our 19 goals this season have come on the man advantage, it makes sense that drawing penalties be a part of the Coyotes’ game plan.

The team thrives when our big bodied forwards can get the puck deep in the zone and attack the net. The last game against Columbus the team dominated the Blue Jackets on the powerplay and penalty kill. Tonight, special teams will win or lose this game.

Winnipeg has one of the deepest rosters in the NHL and are an incredibly balanced team. The Jets are loaded with elite forwards in Mark Scheifele, Pierre-Luc Dubois , Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Blake Wheeler, solid defensemen in Josh Morrissey and Brenden Dillon, and elite goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Tonight should be a tough game for the Coyotes.

Respect this team. Do not fear them.

In spite of the talent that this team has, Winnipeg has a pedestrian 4-3 record and are beatable. The Jets have lost to Dallas, Toronto, and Vegas. We beat Toronto on the road. We can beat this team.

Coyotes win if….

We play disciplined (stay out of the penalty box).

We win the faceoff circle.

We control the puck in the grit zone (five feet from the boards).

We protect the house (limit the number of quality shots and high scoring chances for the Jets).

Our best players are the best players on the ice (Clayton Keller, Shane Gostisbehere, and Karel Vejmelka need to shine).

Jets win if…

Coyotes defense gives up too many rebounds (Vejmelka has been money with the first and second saves).

Coyotes can’t convert powerplay opportunities into goals (8/19 goals have come with the extra man- we struggle to score even strength goals).

Coyotes are out hit by the Jets.

The puck drops tonight at 7:30 MST on ESPN+ and radio ESPN 620AM.

Give ’em hell boys!

Happy Howlin’

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