The Arizona Coyotes have a chance to make a major statement this weekend. The Coyotes are set to play the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Saturday afternoon in a game that has more meaning than many people may think. As it stands right now the Bruins are the best top team in the Atlantic Division with a 17-5-3 record to go along with 37 points, proving their historic regular season last year was no fluke. Arizona faces this juggernaut of a team at an interesting time. Aside from Thursday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Coyotes were on an absolute tear winning five consecutive games while seizing the first wild card spot in the Western Conference. Not only did they win all these games but it was against the past five Stanley Cup champions which shows the growth and improvements the Coyotes have been able to make. André Tourigny spoke following the Coyotes 4-1 loss to the Flyers. If facing all of these former champions wasn’t enough, they now head to Boston a place this team has been historically bad in. However, the Coyotes need to view this upcoming game as not a punishment but a great opportunity. It may just be one regular season game but the Coyotes have a chance to prove to the hockey world that they are indeed a threat to make the playoffs in the West. It’s these kinds of games that separate the good and the bad teams. Going into a hostile Boston environment is no easy task, but Arizona has the tools to stun the Bruins. A win against Boston should raise confidence not only for the players but for fans in the Valley that will truly see that this is not the same Coyotes team as in years past. Saturday afternoon will be the Coyotes time to show that their recent five game winning streak was no coincidence and that they are capable of winning on any given night no matter what the situation is. Time will tell what this game actually means in the grand scheme of things, but it could very well have a large impact on a franchise that is hungry to start winning.
