Game Preview
The Arizona Coyotes are back in action tonight after dropping their last two games against the Los Angeles Kings. Both games showed that while the Coyotes may have improved this season, they are still a far way away from the top.
Arizona’s last game was the most frustrating of this still-early season. The Coyotes found themselves with a 4-1 lead in the first ten minutes, thanks to a flurry of offense from throughout the lineup. Unfortunately, they couldn’t keep up the pressure, and the Kings found a way to tie it up and take the lead in the final two periods.
There is a reason why a two-goal lead is called the most dangerous lead in hockey. Teams tend to play more defensively with a larger lead, allowing their opponents to dictate the game’s pace. It doesn’t have to be that way, but that was the case on Friday.
If there is a lesson the young Coyotes need to learn from this, it is this: the team can not let up, no matter who they face or the score. They could be facing off against the top of the league or a bottom-feeder team, it doesn’t matter. Arizona succeeded on their first road trip against the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues because those teams didn’t take them seriously. The Coyotes need to take every opponent they face seriously.
Speaking of teams that are bottom feeders, tonight, the Coyotes will face off against the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago currently has the same number of points as the Coyotes (6) but has played one more game, and they are expected to finish in the bottom of the Central Division.
The Blackhawks have had to face tough competition to start the season, which could partially explain their record. They have faced off against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, twice, having lost their first game 5-3 and won their second 4-3 in overtime. They have faced the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins twice, falling 3-1 and 3-0. They have also dropped games against the Montréal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche, both teams who have been playing well to start the season.
But Chicago has walked away with a few wins. They started the season with a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, which seems to have broken the Penguins mentally as they are currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. More impressively, they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1, meaning in addition to winning against the top team in the Pacific, they beat the number two team in the Atlantic.
Special teams could prove to be the difference maker tonight, and it is a toss-up who will be better. The Blackhawks have the second-worst power play in the league, converting only 9.7% of the time, compared to the Coyotes’ sixth-best power play. But Chicago has the seventh-best penalty kill, with an 88.5% success rate, while the Coyotes’ PK is ranked 28th with a 72.0% success rate. The Coyotes take more penalties than the Blackhawks, which could be the deciding factor tonight.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Nick Schmaltz – Schmaltz is a former Blackhawk and comes into tonight’s game riding a four-game point streak. He has eight points through seven games this season.
Chicago: Corey Perry – It may be surprising that the veteran Perry leads the Blackhawks in points to start the season. He comes in with two goals and four assists, including an assist in the Blackhawks’ last game against the Golden Knights.
Injuries
Arizona: Lawson Crouse (possible, illness), Travis Dermott (day-to-day), Jason Zucker
Chicago: Alex Vlasic (day-to-day), Taylor Hall (IR), Luke Philp (IR), Samuel Savoie (IR)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be at Mullett Arena and will start at 7:00 p.m. Arizona time and will air on Scripps.