WHAT I SAW - COYOTES (1) VS WILD (3) 1/17/15

WHAT I SAW - COYOTES (1) VS WILD (3) 1/17/15

CAPSULES - COYOTES (16-24-4) currently sitting (14) pts out of a playoff spot, but that may get worse before the end of the night. MINNESOTA (20-19-5) is in
12th overall (5) points out of a playoff spot. 

VERMETTE - Worked a little on lowering his trade value in the 1st by fanning on a wide open shot on the PP. Looked like it hit has skate. Dubnyk (who now plays for the WILD) had time to borrow a phone from a fan, call upstairs, order a coffee with 2 sugar and then put down the  phone in time to stop the puck. Actually never mind...he did score in the 2nd, so there goes that silly theory of mine.

McMILLAN - Was our most offensive player tonight. Effort wise, not because
he called anyone names or was talking politics on the ice. During the 1st intermission, McMILLAN did not seem to recall who our goalie has been this season... "we had him a few times in the net.." 

SMITH - Solid early, but did allow a goal just after we killed the 2nd PP in the 1st. The 2nd goal was on a break away, but on a better night maybe he is in a position to stop it. There was a point in the 3rd where I thought he was actually going to let the puck in net trying to draw and icing call.

PP - The COYOTES have the 2nd best road Power Play in the entire NHL. 

YANDLE - Looks like he is thinking about something other than the game...like what team he might be playing for in a week. It's become a trade deadline tradition, only thus far he's never been traded. 

PHOENIX NORTH - There were quite a few COYOTES fans in Minnesota tonight. 

REIDER - has gotten away from his reckless abandon play over the last several games. Just noticed rather than driving to the net tonight, he's been passing it back to let his team mates set it up even when it's not necessary. 

GOAL - Is worth one point. In order for a goal to be valid, the puck must pass over the goal line. 

GAGNE - His production has really slipped lately, but I have been saying all year, defensively his game is really missing. On the 2nd goal a better effort on that back check would have prevented the shot. 

SAMUELSSON - Had his second solid game in a row. 

MOSS - Watch. Yes, an assist, there was an actual assist. His save percentage tonight was also 100%. 

TYSON - "Sometimes what you fear is what you create." Referring to the COYOTES lack of finish in the 3rd period all year. 

THURSDAY - Night I caught one of those pizza boxes with the free pizza coupon on the game.  Tempted to cash that bad boy in tonight. 

Z - Failed to score any goals on MIKE SMITH tonight. 

DUBNYK - Got his new mask squared away I see. 

HANZAL - His pissed face is almost as awesome as CRAYON's. Once the penalties stopped  the COYOTES were able to get back into the game...oh wait. I am so used to HANZAL getting penalties I was about ready to blame the bad first period on his time in the box. He actually didn't get called for a few of his crosschecking moves tonight.

LESSIO - Had some good energy tonight as well, just never seemed to be able to pick up a  rebound. Granted, DUBNYK was getting the benefit of early whistles all night. 

COYOTES - Not a team that is playing like they are tanking...good solid effort tonight.  DUBNYK is actually a really solid freakin goalie. 

ROAD WARRIORS - 7 more to go.