Game Recap
The Arizona Coyotes head home with a 2-2-0 record to start the season after beating the St. Louis Blues 6-2. It was the best Coyotes game to date and was a good preview of what this team could be when they play at the top of their games.
After three tough, neck-and-neck games, the Coyotes had one of their most dominant performances. So many of the Coyotes issues to start the season were absent against the Blues.
Arizona had a complete game. All four lines clicked, including the new Jason Zucker, Logan Cooley, and Matias Maccelli line. Things were solid defensively, and they got great goaltending from Conor Ingram.
The Coyotes power play was in top form tonight. Nick Bjugstad started the scoring with his first of the season with Matias Maccelli and Juuso Välimäki assisting, and new additions Jason Zucker and Sean Durzi lit the lamp in the third period. After struggling with the man advantage for two games, it was nice to see things click with the power play.
It wasn’t just the power play, Arizona played great 5-on-5, too. Clayton Keller got his second of the season early in the second period, and after Jakub Vrána cut the Coyotes’ lead in half, Michael Carcone responded on the next play, and Nick Schmaltz added to the lead in the later half of the middle frame.
Multiple players had multi-point nights. Goalscorers Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, and Sean Durzi all had assists in addition to their goals, and Mattias Macceli Juuso Välimäki had two-assist nights.
But it wasn’t just the offense, Connor Ingram had a great night as well. Stopping 24 of 26 shots, Ingram made some massive saves in the first period when things were tight and looked sharp throughout. Ingram seems poised to have a big season, especially if he could repeat tonight’s performance.
Ingram’s performance helped contribute in another way, with a perfect six saves on six shots on the penalty kill. Thankfully, the Coyotes were disciplined and were only short-handed twice, but Ingram looked great both times.
After playing well against three formidable opponents, the Coyotes looked great against an opponent on their level. The Coyotes will see the Blues multiple times this season and may compete with them for a Wild Card spot. It was a full team effort that we will hopefully see more and more throughout the season, against division rivals, and other teams.
Lines
Three Stars
1. Clayton Keller – Goal and an assist
2. Connor Ingram – 24 saves on 26 shots
3. Sean Durzi – Goal and an assist
Next Game
The Coyotes will return home to Arizona for the first time this season. The game will be this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Arizona time.