Coyotes Still Playing Hard After Deadline Sell-Off

Now that the whirlwind trade deadline has passed, it’s time to turn our focus back to the ice. The roster was overhauled by several trades, with ownership and the front office making it clear they intend to tank. How would the Coyotes’ players and coaching staff respond? They seemed to have a different idea, as the team played inspired hockey and fought tooth and nail in just about every contest. Over the past eight games, Arizona went 4-2-2, earning ten points against mostly top-tier teams making a push for the playoffs.

At first, it appeared that the team was going to go into free fall. They were thoroughly outplayed by both the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes, losing 4-2 and 6-1, respectively. They rebounded with a gutsy performance against the Devils, losing a heartbreaker in overtime 5-4. They went on a tear after that game, winning four of the next five, with the only loss coming in an overtime matchup. They were dominant against both St. Louis and Nashville, winning 6-2 and 4-1. The final three games all went to overtime, with the Coyotes losing to Colorado 3-2 and beating Minnesota and Calgary 5-4 and 4-3.

We have the scores, three stars of the games, and ‘Yotes Notes below.

Arizona @ Dallas 4-2 Loss

3 Stars:

1st Star – Tyler Seguin, DAL
2nd Star – Roope Hintz, DAL
3rd Star – Juuso Valimaki, ARI

‘Yotes Notes:

• The Coyotes go up 2-0 in the first, but then give up four straight and lose to the Stars. Keller and Hayton are the goal scorers.
• Ingram made an incredible save, diving from one post to the other and just getting his stick out to block the shot. The shot was so hard the stick went flying from it.
• Dallas missed on several shots, this could have been a 6-2 or even 8-2 game. Defensively it was a terrible showing. Ingram was under constant attack all night long, we gave up a short-handed goal, and the Coyotes were outshot 41-20.

Arizona vs. Carolina 6-1 Loss

3 Stars:

1st Star – Sebastian Aho, CAR
2nd Star – Brent Burns, CAR
3rd Star – Martin Necas, CAR

‘Yotes Notes:

• Three former Coyotes were playing for Carolina in this one, Shayne Gostisbehere, Derek Stepan, and Antti Raanta.
• Ghost scores against the Coyotes in his first game back since being traded.
• Vejmelka was not himself, he had a poor showing.
• The Coyotes were lifeless in this one and outclassed in every phase. Being outshot 42-18, it was clear how good the Hurricanes are.

Arizona vs. New Jersey 5-4 OTL

3 Stars:

1st Star – Nico Hischier, NJD
2nd Star – Jesper Boqvist, NJD
3rd Star – Jack McBain, ARI

‘Yotes Notes:

• It’s so frustrating to see teams like the Devils who were rebuilding recently turn it around in a few seasons, unlike the Coyotes. Arizona has basically been rebuilding since the Western Conference Finals in 2012, minus a season or two under former GM Jon Chayka. It really shows how much the front offices in place and ownership turmoil have negatively impacted this franchise.
• Ingram has been inconsistent throughout the season, and he was shaky in this one as well. It’s a big part of why the Coyotes should pair a veteran goalie with Vejmelka next season.
• The Coyotes were down deep early but kept fighting and forced OT. Unfortunately, they end up losing this one.

Arizona vs. St. Louis 6-2 Win

3 Stars:

1st Star – Travis Boyd, ARI
2nd Star – Karel Vejmelka, ARI
3rd Star – Clayton Keller, ARI

‘Yotes Notes:

• The Coyotes survived a Blues 2-man advantage at the beginning of the third period when it was only a 2-1 lead.
• Vejmelka rebounded nicely from the Hurricanes game and was near lights-out.
• Keeping the Hayton, Schmaltz, and Keller line together was the best move of the trade deadline for Arizona. They are so in sync, and can compete against anyone in the NHL.

Arizona @ Colorado 3-2 OTL

3 Stars:

1st Star – Cale Makar, COL
2nd Star – Alexandar Georgiev, COL
3rd Star – Connor Ingram, ARI

‘Yotes Notes:

• Lawson Crouse’s line is starting to get more involved again. For a while, it seemed the only offense being generated came from the Keller, Hayton, and Schmaltz line.
• The PK has been weak as of late. They seem totally outmatched and have given up a lot of goals. It happens again versus the Avalanche.
• Although the coyotes were outshot 45-20, they competed all night against the Avalanche. They definitely earned their OTL point, but just couldn’t finish it off for the win.

Arizona vs. Minnesota 5-4 OTW

3 Stars:

1st Star – Clayton Keller, ARI
2nd Star – Barrett Hayton, ARI
3rd Star – Brett Ritchie, ARI

‘Yotes Notes:

• Barrett Hayton came out hot and scored two goals in the first period.
• The Coyotes were sloppy defensively again, putting them in a 4-2 hole late in the second period. They kept battling offensively, and the Keller line (surprise, surprise) gets them back even. That line was involved in every scoring play, either scoring the goal or assisting on it. They eventually netted the OT winner as well.
• Keller sets a career-high with his 29th goal of the season.
• There were four fights in this game, awesome to see the Coyotes play scrappy and physical hockey.

Arizona vs. Calgary 4-3 OTW

3 Stars:

1st Star – Clayton Keller, ARI
2nd Star – Travis Boyd, ARI
3rd Star – Barrett Hayton, ARI

‘Yotes Notes:

• The Ritchie brothers face off for the first time since the two teams swapped them at the deadline.
• Keller nets his 30th and 31st goals on the season, with number 31 being a shorthanded goal.
• Keller was named the NHL’s #1 star of the week.
• Former Coyotes defenseman Troy Stecher scores for Calgary, tying it up at 3-3.
• Ingram made two incredible saves in the final seconds of the 3rd period to force overtime.
• This was a great overtime win. As a fan, you have to love seeing this team still hustling and playing hard. Their play should show ownership and the front office that no matter how hard they try to tank the players and coaches won’t buy in. A great showing and something for the fans to really get behind for the rest of the season.