Here is why the Coyotes recent winning streak is not just a fluke. Because of the Coyotes recent resurgence, the playoffs don't seem out of the picture.
The Arizona Coyotes are the hottest team in the NHL right now as they currently have strung together five consecutive wins against the past five Stanley Cup champions.
At this point in time, the Coyotes have taken control of the first wild card spot in the Western Conference standings with a 13-9-2 record and 28 points.
Can Arizona actually be a playoff team this season?
In order to be a playoff team and even a Stanley Cup contender, there is a simple formula: A balanced and deep forward group, a steady defensive core and hot goaltending.
Offensively, the Coyotes have three really solid lines and don’t even necessarily have a so-called ‘top line’ because they are so deep.
Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley and Nick Schmaltz can kill any team with their pure speed and skill.
Matias Maccelli, Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse all play very different games but their chemistry together is like bread and butter and somehow this trio really clicks, at some points serving as the team’s best line.
Michael Carcone, Alexander Kerfoot and Jason Zucker all play a scrappy game and can always be counted on to play hard at both ends of the ice not to mention Carcone actually leads the team with 12 goals.
On the defensive end, the Coyotes have had their struggles, but they are beginning to find their identity. The best way to describe the Coyotes defensive unit is fast, led by guys like Sean Durzi, Juuso Välimäki, Matt Dumba and J.J. Moser.
All of Arizona’s defensemen are playing their roles well and should continue to improve as time goes on.
Goaltending wise, the Coyotes are set because of the spectacular play of Connor Ingram.
Ingram has arguably been the best goalie in the league through this winning stretch hence his recent NHL first star of the week honor.
The 26-year-old goalie currently holds an 11-3 record, 2.23 GAA and .930 SV% to go along with two shutouts.
Off the ice Ingram is a funny and charismatic guy but in goal, he is calm and composed. He makes every save seem like clock work, easy and simple.
Everything just seems perfect in Arizona and all of the sudden the playoffs do not really seem out of reach.
A good stretch is one thing but the Coyotes are playing a confident brand of hockey and as one cohesive unit which is exactly what these playoff caliber teams do.
This Coyotes team is dangerous and if they can continue this hot play, the sky's the limit for what this squad can accomplish.