IT CAME FROM OUT OF THE ICE : COYOTES (1) VS PANTHERS (2) 2/25/20

IT CAME FROM OUT OF THE ICE : COYOTES (1) VS PANTHERS (2) 2/25/20

CAPSULE : I think Kuemper needed to start a few more games in Tucson, but he will be in net tonight for the Coyotes. I will say that Wallmark being on Florida now will end up being a HUGE un-expected boost for the Panthers as the season moves along. I know he's only got 11 goals and 12 assists on the season, but he is a very under-rated. I am kind of shocked the Canes gave him up. I would look for Florida to come out on fire. The Coyotes will have to match their intensity early. The Panthers are currently 6pts out of a playoff spot (this is being written before the games starts as per usual). They are kind of hoping the Islanders, Columbus and Carolina get back to losing immediately. This game is pretty critical for the Coyotes just because they have played more games than the teams around them. The come into this game with 70 pts at 31-26-8 and are in a Wild Card spot by just 1 point.

KESSEL (81) – Had a good opportunity on a partial break-away and shot in the 1^st period, but couldn’t get the puck to go in 5 hole. I didn't hear his name much the rest of the night. 

SCHMALTZ (8) – Had a great breakaway in the 1^st period, but the Panthers tender was up to the task. That is the most energy I have seen Schmaltz skate with in weeks.  Schmaltz is normally known for his craftiness with the puck.

RICHARDSON (15) –  Sent a rocket past Bobrovsky short-handed in the 1^st period to put the Coyotes up 1-0. Richardson has stepped it up the past few games. The Coyotes really need everyone going right now, so it’s big when he can be active and producing.

MENUTAUR – I am a little over excited about the Menutaur deal. Is that burger basically a Big Mac? I probably won’t eat one, because I like my heart. I am just curious?

HINOSTROZA (13) – His effort in the 1^st period short-handed kept the puck behind the Panthers net and almost single-handedly lead to the Richardson goal. He was correctly given the assist on the goal. In the 3^rd period he got crushed by Stillman of Florida. He survived.

GARLAND (83) – Hit the post on a weird angle shot in the 1^st period. He has definitely been heating up since the St. Louis game. He had a fantastic shot after getting between 2 Panthers players but just couldn’t get it past the Panthers goalie. He ended the night with 3 shots. This was a good effort out or him. 

DVORAK (18) –  Got crushed by Stillman of the Panthers in the 1^st period. He survived.

KELLER (9) – Had a good backhand try early in the 2^nd period. That one ended up not getting on net. Keller did blow a defensive effort leaving a Panthers sniper open in the 2^nd period. Fortunately on that play the Panthers hit the post.

HJALMARSSON (4) –  I like him taking shots from the blue line, just to get the puck deep if nothing else. He also had an assist on the Richardson goal.

KEITH YANDLE – Is right. Shane Doan should have a statue at the arena.

NESS (42) – Broke his stick on a one-timer. So there’s that. He was able to grab a stick on the way down the ice and make a play on defense. It was basically magic. That makes me think that Harry Potter would have been 10 times cooler if they had spells that made sticks and pucks appear out of thin air.

HAYTON (29) – Can’t exactly say he didn’t get on the score sheet in the 1^st period. Because he did have that penalty? (Shakes head).

TYSON – Wasn’t exactly right about Vegas all of a sudden have the lead in the division. It’s not all of a sudden, they’ve had a lead in the division for a couple weeks at least.  

OESTERLE (82) –  If you are going to take that much time behind the net with the puck. At least make a clean pass to one of your teammates.

TOYOTA – I think I am ready for them to trade Pat in for another “lead dude” in their commercials…… about 5 years ago.  

SODERBERG (34) – Didn’t hear his name much tonight.

OEL (23) – Had 4 shots, 5 hits and a block. Can’t blame him for this one.

HALL (91) – Had a really nice move in the 3^rd period to get a shot on net, but put it right in the goalies chest.  With about 6 seconds to go he passed up on a shot and the Coyotes lose 2-1. Not sure he would have scored, but I think you take that shot.

GOLIGOSKI (33) –  4 blocks and a hit. Just an okay night for him.

LYUBUSHKIN (46) – had 5 hits. Really solid night for him.

STEPAN (21) – Put a shot over the net with just over 7 minutes left in the 3^rd period on a really good opportunity right in front of the net. Very late in the 3^rd he had another chance to score but couldn’t get it over the right pad of the goalie.

CROUSE (67) – Had 4 shots on net.

KUEMPER (35) – Looked really solid. However this was one of those games where the team looked out-matched by a terrible team and he got zero goal support.

EXTERNAL ICE – Jets (70 points) 3  vs Capitals 4. The Jets scored 2 goals in the 3^rd period to put this game into OT.  The good news was that the Jets lost, but the Coyotes didn’t need them picking  up a point.

Canucks (74 points) 4 vs Montreal 3 in OT. The Canadians actually took an early 2 goal lead, but once again can’t put a 60 minute effort together. This one did not help the Coyotes.

Flames (72 points) 5 vs Boston 2. Boston never had a chance in this game unfortunately. I guess when your record is what it is, you start taking nights off. This one also did not go the Coyotes way.

Predators (70 points)3  vs Ottawa 2. Kinda figured this would go this way mainly because Ottawa played last night and they are terrible. Another game tonight that did not go the Coyotes way.

WRAP UP – The Coyotes looked like a team that doesn’t want to make the playoffs tonight but in their defense, it's very strange that the 10 or more penalties the Panthers committed tonight were for some reason not called. This is the first time in a long time I saw 0 penalties get called on one of the teams. At last check the Coyotes might be able to afford 4 more losses the rest of the season. They slipped 2 spots out of the playoff s and it will only get worse between now and Saturday when the play next. One ray of hope is they are getting a much needed break and all their goaltenders are healthy now. If this team can just start scoring, they can make the rest of the season a very exciting one. The ad blow is for a horror button....because this game was a horror movie. The Coyotes need to play like we know they can if they want to make the playoffs this year.