The Arizona Coyotes started the season with four straight road games. Here is what fans need to takeaway from this road trip.
The Arizona Coyotes finished with a 2-2 record on their opening four-game road trip to start the season. There is a lot to dive into but what are the main takeaways from this road trip?
First Line is Dominant:
The Coyotes first line of Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz and Barrett Hayton were together for the majority of last season and coach André Tourigny decided to keep the line as is going into the 2023-24 campaign.
That decision has paid dividends as they seem to have not missed a beat. Keller and Schmaltz are leading the team with two goals, three assists and five points.
While Hayton is yet to record a point, he has generated a ton of chances and is playing a smart brand of hockey which people don’t see in the box score.
These three are playing heavy power play minutes and continue to be the team’s best source of offensive production so keeping them together going forward is a no-brainer.
Sean Durzi was a Great Pickup:
When the Coyotes traded for Sean Durzi this summer, expectations were high for what the young defenceman can do to impact the team.
Through the first four games of the season, Durzi is living up to those expectations. The 24-year-old has shown he is the team’s most valuable defenceman.
Durzi has been an anchor on Arizona’s power play thus far and continues to impress with his fast skating and calm composure with the puck on his stick.
He currently has two goals, one assist and three points. Durzi should continue producing points due to his increased role.
Coyotes have two Starting Goalies:
Goaltenders Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram have split starts through the first four games of the season.
Both goalies have been phenomenal. Vejmelka started against the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders where he has had back to back 33 save performances and currently holds a .943 SV% and 1.95 GAA.
Ingram has a .925 SV% and 2.02 GAA over his two games against the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues.
The 1A, 1B goaltender strategy is one that has become more common in the NHL. The Coyotes have picked up on the memo and it seems to be working.
Logan Cooley Showing Flashes of Star Potential:
When Logan Cooley announced his decision to sign his entry-level contract with the Coyotes, fans began fantasizing about what he can accomplish in a Coyotes uniform.
That fantasy is now a reality as Cooley has played fantastic through the first four games of the year.
He currently has four assists and has really been impressive showcasing his playmaking abilities.
The 19-year-old continues to use his blazing speed to generate offensive chances and is proving that he indeed belongs in the NHL right now.
Cooley is currently playing on a line with Matias Maccelli and Jason Zucker. He also is playing a crucial role on the power play, a position he thrives in.
Offense is streaky:
While the Coyotes have shown some great signs through this opening season road trip, their offensive struggles is still something that needs to be addressed.
The Coyotes suffered back to back defeats against the Rangers and Islanders, only scoring a combined one goal in the process.
Thankfully for Arizona, they were able to bounce back, putting on an offensive clinic Thursday night against the Blues in a 6-2 victory.
It’s normal for a young team to have sporadic scoring patterns to start the year but as the season goes on, those offensive woes should get figured out.