Through the first three games of the season, the Arizona Coyotes goaltending tandem of Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram have been the team's strong link.
It’s been an up and down three games for the Arizona Coyotes to start the season but the team’s goaltender tandem of Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram remain one of the only consistent links.
The Coyotes have struggled to score goals, a big reason for their current 1-2 record. However it’s Vejmelka and Ingram who have been keeping the team in these games.
Vejmelka started the year for Arizona against the New Jersey Devils where he was outstanding against one of the most potent offenses in the Eastern Conference. The 27-year-old put up 33 saves while willing his team in the shootout for an opening night victory.
The Coyotes had a back to back Monday and Tuesday and thankfully, the team has two goalies they can trust to start games. Ingram played Monday night against the New York Rangers and to his credit had an overall solid game tallying 26 saves on 28 shots while making crucial stops down the stretch in a 2-1 loss.
On Tuesday night, Vejmelka looked even better than he did against New Jersey posting yet another 33 save performance against the New York Islanders and only gave up one goal. He did all he possibly could to keep the team in the game all night but the Coyotes were unable to score a goal and ultimately lost 1-0.
If Vejmelka and Ingram keep up their strong play consistently, the Coyotes should have an opportunity to win every game they play.
Being able to rotate between two goaltenders is huge as Vejmelka and Ingram won’t get overworked and will stay fresh going into the dog days of the season.
It will take a full-team effort to get back to winning hockey games but at the very least, expect Vejmelka and Ingram to come out and perform each night they are tasked with starting.