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They're probably the most frustrating team in hockey. They won four in a row then immediately lost four in a row. Now they follow up on winning five out of six by dropping three in a row. It also doesn't help that they are the worst home team in the NHL, with a 5-10-1 home record.
Two nice back-to-back wins against Colorado brings the Coyotes back to .500 with a 19-18-1 record.
The Coyotes are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and I'm really looking forward to attending the Blackhaws game tonight. Toews is out with injury, but Kane will play for the Blackhawks. Let's hope the Coyotes seek some revenge from that last game in Chicago.
Best play of the night against the Blackhawks: Rookie Daniel Winnik dancing behind the Blackhawk net with the puck, buying enough time for the Coyotes to complete their line change then dishing it off to a charging Weller who fires it into the net. Most rookies simply don't have that kind of poise or vision, well done by Winnik.
Second best play of the night: Ballard knocking Skille stupid with a beautiful open ice hip check. Now if he could only rediscover his offensive touch.
It was also great to see all three members of the VHS line finding their way onto the scoresheet. Vrbata picked up another goal and an assist, as did Hanzal, and Sjostrom added the final goal. Vrbata is now on pace to hit nearly 40 goals and 70 points this season. Should he hit 40, which is no certainty, he would be the first Coyote since Keith Tkachuk to do so. At 26 years old he should be in his prime for the next couple seasons. He is a free agent at the end of the season, you would have to believe he is Maloney's biggest priority right after Bryzgalov.
Here's some of my thoughts at this point in the season:
1. Carcillo spent most of the first half of the season committing stupid penalties. He's been out and the team has had less penalties and on a great run. Hope this sends a message to him. He's a good young goal scorer, but needs to get more disciplined.
2. It's becoming more clear which guys just aren't going to make it with this team. Although I like them both, I don't see Boynton and Sjostrom staying with the team beyond this season. Too many young guys coming up through the system (Wheeler, Porter, Turris, etc.) to keep Sjos around and Yandle should move in a starting role by next season.
3. This team needs to re-sign Bryzgalov and Vrbata as soon as possible. Vrbata has been a steal basically originating from the Peter Nedved free agent signing and trade for Seidenberg who was traded for Adams who was traded for Vrbata.
4. As much as I questioned the Coyotes dumping all those players last season at the deadline, they were good moves. Most of those guys (except for Comrie) are proving they weren't worth keeping a roster space open for them.
5. Bryzgalov and Tellqvist may be one of the best goaltending tandems in the league from a starter and backup perspective.
Huge win yesterday. The Coyotes are only four points out of the playoffs. Tough three road games coming up. It would be nice if they can get four points in the next three games.
Here's some of my thoughts at this point in the season:
1. Carcillo spent most of the first half of the season committing stupid penalties. He's been out and the team has had less penalties and on a great run. Hope this sends a message to him. He's a good young goal scorer, but needs to get more disciplined.
2. It's becoming more clear which guys just aren't going to make it with this team. Although I like them both, I don't see Boynton and Sjostrom staying with the team beyond this season. Too many young guys coming up through the system (Wheeler, Porter, Turris, etc.) to keep Sjos around and Yandle should move in a starting role by next season.
3. This team needs to re-sign Bryzgalov and Vrbata as soon as possible. Vrbata has been a steal basically originating from the Peter Nedved free agent signing and trade for Seidenberg who was traded for Adams who was traded for Vrbata.
4. As much as I questioned the Coyotes dumping all those players last season at the deadline, they were good moves. Most of those guys (except for Comrie) are proving they weren't worth keeping a roster space open for them.
5. Bryzgalov and Tellqvist may be one of the best goaltending tandems in the league from a starter and backup perspective.
1. Agree on Carcillo. I feel that his inability to stop taking penalties negates his very average offensive potential. With the penalty kill being the Coyotes biggest problem, they can't afford to keep a guy around who is going to spend half of any given game in the box.
2. Agree on Boynton, disagree on Sjostrom. Jones and Yandle are decent enough to push Boynton out of the picture where that money can be put to better use. Sjostrom on the other hand has just started to find his scoring touch, plus his speed and defense make him a valuable penalty killer and checking line player, should other players push him down the depth chart. Turris and Wheeler probably are sticking with college for another year, so I think Sjostrom gets another season with the team at least.
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