Game Recap
Last night’s match against the Nashville Predators was close to being a must-win for the Arizona Coyotes, especially if they wanted to keep their chances at making the playoffs alive. They were playing a division rival who is also in the hunt for one of the two elusive Wild Card spots. With the season half over, those are the games you just have to find a way to win.
Unfortunately, the Desert Dogs did not get the win. They earned a point, which is better than nothing, but their sloppy play ultimately doomed them as they fell 5-4 to the Predators in overtime.
There were a few notable stretches of poor play, but discipline proved to be a fatal flaw for the Coyotes again. The Coyotes took four penalties in five minutes and 25 seconds during the second period, and they were lucky to only give up one goal.
Then, in the final period, after going up 4-2, Nick Bjugstad went to the box for hooking, and the Predators were able to start their comeback with a power play goal. Just under four minutes later and it was a tie game.
If the Coyotes had stayed disciplined and avoided taking dumb penalties, including a too many men on the ice call in the second, they probably could have won. Unfortunately, penalties have proved to be a persistent problem this season, and last night was just another example.
Lines
Three Stars
- Filip Forsberg – Goal and an assist
- Ryan O’Reilly – Goal and an assist
- Dylan Guenther – Goal and an assist
Next Game
The Coyotes will be in Philadelphia to play the Flyers on Monday at 5:00 p.m. Arizona time.