This Arizona Coyotes team is different than in years past. It wasn’t looking good for the Coyotes just a week ago as they went on a three game losing streak, slipping to under .500 while injuries continued to derail them. Following their losing streak, Arizona was set to play the past three Stanley Cup champions in the Vegas Golden Knights, Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche. Everything was beginning to unravel for the Coyotes. They dropped to under .500 and were going to face three really tough opponents where they could have easily fallen even further down in the standings. Despite all factors playing against the Coyotes, they managed to overcome the odds and beat these three powerhouse teams. For a Coyotes team that seemed to be struggling at all ends, how were they able to pull off this magical winning streak? It all starts with goaltending. Connor Ingram has started each of the past three games for Arizona and has been absolutely phenomenal. Ingram began this stretch by recording a shutout against the Golden Knights and continued to elevate his play through the next two. It’s Ingram’s calm composure that is most impressive. He makes every save look so easy and as he describes it when he is at his best, he is ‘boring’ which I’m sure the rest of the players do not mind. His impressive play has certainly translated to the rest of the team. André Tourigny spoke following the Coyotes 4-3 win over the Avalanche. Another big reason for the Coyotes most recent surge is due to their reliable forwards. Each line provides a different element and are just playing their roles. Logan Cooley has fit in well with Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz as these three players continue to use their electric skating and strong offensive abilities to score and maintain puck possession. The line of Matias Maccelli, Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse has been a staple for Arizona’s offense. It’s a trio that is mixed with playmaking, toughness and a great scoring touch. They are arguably the team’s most consistent line. Michael Carcone, Alexander Kerfoot and Jason Zucker are the scrappy line that will always fight for loose pucks and despite not possessing the most size, they are unafraid to go into the dirty areas, outworking their opponents to create high level scoring chances. The fourth line of Liam O’Brien, Travis Boyd and Miloš Kelemen also play with a physicality that is frustrating for opposing players, really serving as the tone setters for the rest of the team. While the Coyotes defense has been hampered by injuries, led by Sean Durzi, this unit is starting to play with a physical edge and passion which has helped them overcome some of the players they are currently missing. Everyone is clicking and the Coyotes are operating as one cohesive unit. They are no longer just pushovers. The Coyotes are a team that the opposition now have to take seriously especially after this recent hot streak. The players and coaches may not agree since it's a long season, but this three game stretch could change Arizona’s season for the better. There has clearly been a shift. Through these past few games, the Coyotes have found a winning formula and are playing with confidence which should only increase. The Coyotes went from being potentially multiple games under .500 to securing a 11-9-2 record while firmly holding onto the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. It may just be a good stretch, but somehow it feels different. A rush of excitement and pure joy was potently strong at Mullett Arena last night when Arizona beat Colorado in overtime, a feeling that has not been around this organization for what seems like years. Who knows what the rest of this season may hold for the Coyotes. Maybe this winning streak is all they need to truly take off.
