The Arizona Coyotes (13-25-5) look to snap their current 9-game losing streak tonight against the Detroit Red Wings (18-17-7). The Coyotes are in a funk, playing their worst hockey of the season. Nothing seems to be going right as the team has virtually lost every way imaginable during their recent skid. Is tonight the night they get back on track and put one in the win column? Detroit could be the answer to what ails us.
Detroit has gone 4-6 in their past 10 games and are the proud owners of their own 2-game losing streak; not exactly a team that is firing on all cylinders. This is a very winnable game. With zero playoff implications, tonight’s matchup is the second of back-to-back games for the Wings after losing 6-3 last night in Colorado. Remember when the Avs and Wings used to be must see TV? Sad.
The Coyotes are expected to lose most games. I am pretty sure that every hockey writer or analyst had the ‘Yotes predicted to finish dead last in the standings. Right now they aren’t wrong. When I watch this team though, they are better than a lot of the other dumpster fires contending for top pick in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes.
There are plenty of things to like about this team. I recently read a post on Barstool Sports suggesting that the Chicago Blackhawks go all in and make the trade for Jakob Chychrun. Overall a pretty solid read, the guys know their stuff. However, the author did said that “somehow Arizona is still awful and have basically no asset and nothing really to trade besides Chychrun“.
This made me laugh.
Have you watched the Coyotes? Yes, our record is terrible. Yes, we are not going to win the Cup. Yes, we aren’t letting our critics down. But to say that we have basically no assets or nothing to trade other than Chychrun, is just ignorant.
Clayton Keller is an all-star for the 3rd time. He is great. Nick Schmaltz is better than any center on the Blackhawks (and plays winger too). I am positive the Hawks would love to have him back. Karel Vejmelka is better than half of the goalies in the league. Chicago would improve instantly if they had him. Shayne Gostisbehere is not going to finish the year in the desert but is better than any defensemen on the Hawks. Lawson Crouse isn’t an asset? Please.
Back to tonight’s matchup. A game that could go either way is going to come down to a few things.
The Coyotes win if…
they get back to playing disciplined, smart hockey. They need to get back to basics and simplify the game. Sounds cheesy and very high school coach-like but if each player does their job and wins each shift, they will win.
Keller and Schmaltz get it going early. We need these two beauts to fill the net with pucks. Detroit is soft. Lets go boys!
our goalies get some confidence back and shut down the Wings. Short-term memory is a must. Forget the past 9 games and come out hungry. One period at a time.
the defense keeps the puck outside of the circles and limits the number of quality shots.
we win puck battles. Win the faceoff circle, control the puck.
Detroit wins if…
we come out flat footed and sleep walk through another game.
Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond light it up. Lucas Raymond has 7 points in his last 5 games. We need to slow him down.
their goalies play lights out. The team is tired and should be a little slower in front of their netminder. If their goalie shows up, could be a long night.
they out hit the Coyotes and impose their will. Lately we have been pushed around, the Wings have the ability at times, to do that.
The puck drops tonight at 7:00pm MST and can be seen on Bally Sports Arizona. Give ’em hell tonight boys!
Happy Howlin’!