Game Recap
The Arizona Coyotes have dropped from third in the Central Division after falling 5-3 to the Winnipeg Jets at Mullett Arena. Arizona saw a 2-0 lead and a 3-2 lead slip away as they failed to take control of the game.
Arizona started the scoring early in the opening frame, with J.J. Moser getting his second of the season.
Moser picked up a great pass from a streaking Matias Maccelli, who continued his point streak to eight games.
The Coyotes had a chance to double their lead not long after when they got their first power play, but they failed to convert. They finished the first period strong, which would, unfortunately, be the last time they could say that.
The second period was a mixed bag for the Desert Dogs.
Things started well enough, with Liam O’Brien making it 2-0 just under six minutes into the period.
Connor Hellebuyck made the save on Jack McBain’s shot, but O’Brien picked up the rebound from behind and put it home.
The Jets would respond, though, less than two minutes later, with Nino Niederreiter getting his first of the game. Two and a half minutes after that, Brendnen Dillon scored his first of the season to tie it up.
The second half of the middle frame would see both teams getting power play goals. Lawson Crouse got his fourth of the season late on the Coyotes’ second chance with the man advantage.
Arizona converted on only one of their three power plays, which is not good enough when you look at how bad the Jets’ penalty kill has been this season. And with Barrett Hayton in the box for interference, the Jets were able to tie it up again with a goal from Niederreiter.
The score was 3-3 when the puck dropped on the third period. The Jets had been pushing since the second period, and they didn’t take long to get a commanding lead. Dillon scored his second of the game three and a half minutes in, and Niederreiter completed the hat trick just over seven minutes.
Games like this can tell you a lot about a team. How they play with a lead, how they play after giving up that lead, how they play against a team a point behind them in the standings, it all matters in an 82-game season. But if this was a test for the Coyotes, they unfortunately failed.
The Coyotes are clearly a better team than they were last season. They added some pieces, many of which are working out well. And maybe Jason Zucker will bring leadership when he returns next week from his injury, but as of right now, the Coyotes are missing something.
Lines
Three Stars
- Nino Niederreiter – Three goals
- Brenden Dillon – Two goals and one assist
- Lawson Crouse – A goal and an assist
Next Game
The Coyotes will host the Seattle Kraken this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Arizona time.