Arizona Coyotes Drop By Montreal, Gift-Wrap A Win For Canadiens
The Arizona Coyotes were on the guest list for the celebration of Cary Price’s return to the NHL lineup. They gifted an easy victory for the Montreal Canadiens.
Arizona Coyotes fans are accustomed to the team going on the road and playing poorly. The Coyotes have headed out on a road trip and returned without a win on several occasions.
On the current six-game east coast swing, they appear headed in just that direction.
In Montreal Thursday evening, the Coyotes fell behind early and never came back, losing to the Canadiens 5-2.
After three games, the Yotes are 1-2, with only their home opening win highlighting their season. They lost to the Ottawa senators on Tuesday 7-4.
It’s not fair to judge the team based on three games. Especially a team filled with new players, and rookie talent.
The roster is far from set for the season. Many of the current players could see themselves headed back to the AHL or juniors. There could be a trade or two that changes the look of the team.
Simply put, a three-game showing is not a large enough sample size.
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The problem is, just about everyone on the team is not showing up. The squad is letting up five goals per game.
No team can win with that average.
The loss to the Canadiens was a complete team loss.
Where’s Anthony Duclair? He hasn’t scored. He’s barely shot the puck.
Max Domi hasn’t scored. Domi hasn’t even started fights. Usually he’s taking a swing at someone.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a talented, steady defenseman, is turning the puck over faster than a Vegas blackjack dealer.
Alex Goligoski isn’t performing either.
Leaving a bad taste in the mouth was once again the play of defenseman Jamie McBain and forward Radim Vrbata. Both players haven’t been in synch with the rest of the team with their passing or style of play.
Luke Skywalker needs to wave his hand across GM John Chayka’s face and whisper, “These are not the players you’re looking for.”
These last two games haven’t been close. They haven’t been competitive. They haven’t been fun.
Heck, the rookies are making fewer rookie mistakes than the veterans.
Thank goodness these were road games.
If they were playing at home, the Tim Hortons line at the second intermission would have been tiny.
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Complicating factors is the Coyotes’ lack of a solid goaltender. Louis Domingue started in place of the injured Mike Smith and laid an egg.
When your backup netminder is pulled, it’s not a good day. If he lets up four goals in only his second appearance, things are looking downright awful.
The lone bright spots? The play of Justin Peters coming in to replace Domingue. Peters pushed back 23 of 24 shots.
Another solid performance by former Sarnia Sting defenseman Jakob Chychrun was also nice to see.
Chychrun, playing in his second NHL game, looks like he belongs here. He scored his first goal of his young career and out shined the likes of OEL and Goligoski.
However, the team appears leaderless. They’re not shooting the puck enough and they’re not playing with any confidence. They’re getting blown out.
Head Coach Dave Tippett also needs to take some ownership here.
It’s his team.
For whatever reason, his hockey wisdom doesn’t seem to translate on the road. Whether that’s due to preparation, line pairings, or the inconsistency of rookies and sophomores is anyone’s guess.
I’m reminded of the scene in the movie Miracle, when the team is forced to skate up and down the ice after a bad loss. Over and over again. Back and forth.
Until the players come to their senses and realize who, and what, they’re playing for.
Perhaps when the Arizona Coyotes arrive in New York, they should head to Barclay’s Center and re-create that scene. It’s time for a sequel.
Miracle II: Coyotes Escape From New York With Road Wins.