This Week’s Games
@ New York against the Islanders
In a standing room only game in New York the Coyotes shut out the Islanders 2-0. The Refs were calling everything this game and the Coyotes finally started off the scoring one minute in the third period on the Power Play. Coyote’s goal scorers were C Travis Boyd (2) on the Power Play and C Jack McBain (2) scored an Empty Net Goal to finish the scoring for the game.
@ New Jersey against the Devils
This was another Special Teams game on both sides. The Coyotes were in the box for 18 minutes, while the Devils served 12 minutes in the box. The red-hot Power Play for the Coyotes scored two goals, but it was not enough for one of the top teams in the NHL. The Coyotes lost 4-2 to the Devils. The Power Play goal scorers were RW Dylan Guenther (3) and RW Clayton Keller (5).
@ New York against the Rangers
The Rangers are another good team in the Metropolitan Division. New York dominated the Coyotes with a 4-1 win. The Coyotes didn’t score until almost halfway through the third period on the Power Play. The Coyotes went one for six on the Power Play. The lone Goal scorer was RW Clayton Keller (6).
@ Las Vegas against the Golden Knights
The Knights are another good team in the NHL and are currently ranked #2. This game was two teams that do not like each other so there was some fighting going on. With that being said it was a one-sided game with the Knights winning 4-1. RW Clayton Keller (7) was the lone Coyote to score in the game.
@ Nashville against the Predators
This game was one of the best performances for the Coyotes so far. They really played for G Connor Ingram and wanted to get him a win. The game went into the Shoot Out tied 3-3 until the seventh round when the Predators finally got the save to win the game 4-3 (SO). The Coyotes still get one point, so it is not as bad as a regulation time loss. The Coyotes goal scorers were LW Lawson Crouse (7) and C Nick Bugstad (3) scored two goals with one being a shorthanded goal.
@ Raleigh against the Carolina Hurricanes
The Coyotes played with a lead during the game, and really poured it on in the third period. The Penalty Kill was really worked during this game as the Canes have a strong Power Play. The Canes even went to the Empty Net at the 14-minute mark of the third period to play six on five until the Coyotes iced the game with an empty net goal. The Coyotes blanked the Canes 4-0 for G Karel Vejmelka’s second shutout of the season. The Coyotes goals were scored by C Nick Schmaltz (1), LW Lawson Crouse (8) who scored two with one being the empty netter, and the hot handed C Nick Bugstad (4)
The Good
The Coyotes played well on this part of the road trip. They were able to go home for 72 hours for some rest before the Las Vegas game. The Power Play has been hot until two of our best players came back from the Injured list. C Nick Schmaltz (1) and D Jakob Chychrun (1) are both part of the top Power Play unit, and since they were out for so long, they were a bit rusty. They started to really get the puck moving in the Hurricanes game and I thought they would score during their many chances.
The Bad
The Coyotes went through a four-game losing streak, and lost to some of the best teams in the NHL. The boys still have eight more road games on this trip, with one more rest day.
How The Coyotes are Trending
The player’s dads were able to go on the road trip last three games with the team, and they had a blast. The players really played for them, and they all bonded a bit more. Head Coach Andre Tourigny has changed the culture in the locker room, and they are playing harder.
What’s on Tap
The Coyotes play the Detroit Red Wings on Friday November 25th, then the Minnesota Wild on November 27th, and finally the Los Angeles Kings on December 1st.
For the last installment of The Coyotes Report, click here!
