The Arizona Coyotes have demonstrated their ability to compete on the road, as proven by their first four games of the season.
Despite facing three playoff teams from last season, the Coyotes (2-2) had little margin for error early on. From their thrilling 4-3 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils in the season opener to their commanding 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues, the team showed both promise and cause for concern. In their losses, the offense struggled to find its footing.
“It was a good challenge for the group, and we saw it as an opportunity to prove ourselves this season. I believe we succeeded,” remarked forward Lawson Crouse. “We need to keep building on this momentum without getting complacent. While a .500 record is a positive start, we must continue pushing forward.”
Here are some key takeaways from their recent road trip as they prepare for their first home game at Mullett Arena on Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Anaheim Ducks (1-2).
Coyotes’ Goaltending Shines
The stellar performances of goaltenders Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram played a significant role in keeping the games close. Vejmelka redeemed himself after a shaky start in the first game, making 33 saves and stopping both shootout attempts by the Devils’ Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt.
In the matchup against the New York Islanders, the Coyotes’ lackluster effort led Vejmelka to stand on his head in a 1-0 loss.
Although the Blues didn’t create many scoring opportunities, Ingram demonstrated his agility by quickly reaching the far post and stopping a wraparound attempt by Nikita Alexandrov when the game was scoreless.
Promising Power Play
The Coyotes have effectively utilized their skilled and speedy forwards on the power play. In their four games, Arizona converted six goals on 19 opportunities (31.6% success rate), ranking them third in the NHL.
Forwards Barrett Hayton, Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller, and Nick Schmaltz provide creativity and excitement on the first power play unit. Moreover, defenseman Sean Durzi adds another dimension with his willingness to join the offensive rush. Durzi has contributed two goals on five shots during power play situations.
Even-Strength Offense Requires Improvement
While special teams accounted for six of the Coyotes’ 12 goals, there is still room for improvement when playing at even strength.
Keller, Schmaltz, and Cooley have been solid offensive contributors for the Coyotes, each earning four or more points in every game. However, the team has struggled to find a breakthrough goal during dry spells and has shown limited offensive presence in the opposition’s zone.
Key players from last season, such as Crouse and Hayton, have yet to find their stride. Hayton didn’t score until December last season, and the team hopes to avoid a similar scenario this year. Crouse’s line, previously consisting of Nick Bjugstad, has been modified to include Michael Carcone instead of Matias Maccelli. Crouse has only managed four shots on goal thus far.
Forward Alex Kerfoot, acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the offseason, is also under scrutiny. While he has excelled in faceoffs (55.6% success rate), he has yet to contribute to the scoresheet.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Reference
Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72931262/usa_today_21973134.0.jpg "Stay Updated on Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Portal Movements for 2023-2024 Season")
