The Arizona Coyotes failed to capitalize on two crucial opportunities in their 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers.
The Arizona Coyotes failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities in their 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers, dropping their first game of the season.
The Coyotes had a strong start to the first period as it seemed they would pick up right where they left off from Friday night.
However, 14:11 into the first, reality kicked in for Arizona. Chris Kreider scored his fourth goal of the season off of a sloppy turnover from Travis Dermott which opened up the scoring.
To the Coyotes credit, they responded in a huge way playing that same fast and physical brand of hockey that won them a game in New Jersey.
Five minutes into the second period, the Coyotes found themselves on the power play where once again Logan Cooley helped start up a play feeding it to Nick Schmaltz who laid up Clayton Keller for a beautiful one-timer to tie the game at 1-1.
At the end of the second period, Arizona was given a golden opportunity: a full two minutes on a five-on-three advantage that would carry into the third period.
They would ultimately fail to score a goal which was really the team’s first big opportunity they would let slip away. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be their last.
Following that crucial penalty kill by the Rangers, New York seemed to have a new fire playing with an edge that was not seen all game.
The momentum just completely shifted after the five-on-three. The Rangers scored a goal on the power play 8:26 into the third period, breaking the even score.
Arizona was forced to play catch-up but struggled to get any sort of scoring chances. They were blessed given a gift with just a few minutes left in the game in the form of a Jason Zucker penalty shot but goaltender Igor Shesterkin stopped the veteran forward marking yet another missed opportunity.
When teams are given not one but two huge chances to change the course of a game, it’s critical they capitalize on at least one which the Coyotes were unable to do.
It was evident watching that these two blown opportunities completely sucked the life out of the Coyotes and reignited the Rangers who were looking a little flat through parts of this game.
It will serve as a learning experience for a young Coyotes team that has still shown some promise through these first two games of the season.
Cooley had another strong performance tonight while players like Keller, Schmaltz and Matias Maccelli continue to shine bright.
Arizona won’t have very much time to process this loss as they are set to play the New York Islanders Tuesday night.