IT CAME FROM OUT OF THE ICE : COYOTES (5) VS SABRES (2) 2/29/20
CAPSULE : The Coyotes really need a win today with 70 points
at 31-27-8. They fell as far as they
could fall, out of a playoff spot over the past 3 days of non-play. The good news
is that they are still within striking distance and other teams now have about
as many games played as they do, but one thing at a time. The Sabres are
29-27-8, and once again in spite of a great start to the season very likely won’t
be playing this post-season. The Coyotes should be heavily favored in this
game, but that is where it gets a little dicey. The Coyotes have been playing
down to competition for months now. Case and point, coming into this game the
Sabres are 8-1-0 against the Coyotes when the Coyotes are the home team (like
tonight). That trend will need to end if they want to make the playoffs. The
Coyotes probably need to finish the season 12-4-0 to get into the playoffs at
this point.
OEL (23) – The bad : Unfortunately
the first goal of the game was on him getting beat. The crazy part about this
game was that in the first 6 shots Buffalo took, they were already up 2-0 on
the Coyotes. Not the way to start a game. The Good : OEL did get an assist on the first
goal of the game by Oesterle. He also
looked very good as this game went on, especially in the 3rd period.
He would score an empty net goal from behind the Coyotes net on the Penalty
Kill to ice the game 5-2.
CROUSE (67) – Had a huge breakaway in the 1st
period on the penalty kill, but couldn’t bury the short hander.
OESTERLE (82) – Scored
to put the Coyotes on the board making the score 1-2 at the time. His goal came
from about 6 feet out on a great pass from behind the net by Keller. Oesterle
wasn’t done there, he also had an assist on the Kessel goal in the 2nd
period.
SPY VS SPY - For my business I have a reminder that says “Pay
Your Taxes Of You Will Be Fined” on the calendar, that comes up automatically
on the last day of every month. I told Jenn about it and she’s like “Man, Apple
is getting pretty bold.” I put the
notice on there for myself, but yeah. It is not shocking at all that Apple
pretty much spying on all of us.
KESSEL (81) – Had a chance to put a puck in the net wide
open in the 2nd early on and put it in to tie the game at 2-2 at the
time. I say this a lot, but we need
Kessel to play like the player we picked up in the off season. So far so good
tonight.
KELLER (9) : 2 GOALS ) – Had a great assist from behind the net to get
the Coyotes on the board in the 2nd. Keller looked really good in
this one. He would later score on a brilliant to get his own rebound in the 2nd
period to put the Coyotes up 3-2 at the time. Keller pretty much took over the
entire game in the 2nd period. In the 3rd period Keller had a shot
that almost snuck (yes, I just made snuck a word) in on the Buffalo tender, but was just kept out of the net. Keller
would put yet another puck in the net in the 3rd period. It was his
second goal of the game, but more importantly, I get free taco’s tomorrow. This
was probably Keller’s best NHL game ever. I have never seen him completely humiliate
another team like he did tonight.
IF TACO BELL WON’T KEEP NACHO FRIES ON THE MENU – We will.
GOLIGOSKI (33) – Had
an assist on the Kessel goal in the 2nd period. Still not exactly crazy about his game.
HALL (91) – Late in
the 2nd period he had a point blank one-timer chance and blasted it
over the net. I think that puck is in Avondale. Hall also had a rocket late in
the 3rd that missed the net. Hall did look pretty good tonight.
SCHMALTZ (8) – Started looking like himself in the 3rd
period. It was nice to see him keeping the puck in the offensive zone and
making better passing choices.
STEPAN (21) – Had a great chance right in front of the net
in the 3rd period and got robbed. Overall this was a really good
effort out of Stepan. This is another night where it kinda felt like he deserved 2 or 3 goals.
CASH CASH - Is a strange name for a band.
DEMERS (55) – Looked better and better as the team shook off
the rust. He had an assist on the Keller goal in the 3rd. That goal
put the Coyotes up 4-2 at the time.
HJALMARSSON (4) – Not crazy about the hooking call he got
late in the 3rd period. Looked like a pretty weak call to me.
RICHARDSON (15) – Had an assist on the late OEL empty
netter.
FOOD – I have never been to the Tempe Public Market Café.
HINOSTROZA (13) – Had a nice breakaway in the 3rd
period, but couldn’t put it in the net. Vinnie looked quite a bit better
tonight than he has his past several games. He finished the game with 4 shots
on net.
GARLAND (83) – Ended the game with 1 shot on net. Not going to get on his case, because when I do, some fans seem to make the mistake of thinking he isn't just amazing 90% of the time.
DVORAK (18) – Good
but quiet game for him.
HAYTON (29) – I like this kid, but not much on the score
sheet for him tonight. Zero shots.
SODERBERG (34) – Had 2 shots. Not much about his game blew
me away.
LYUBUSHKIN (46) – 4 hits, 2 blocks. He’s become a super
dependable defensemen.
RAANTA (32) – After Raanta settled down allowing 2 goals in
the 1st period, he was lights out, his flurry of saves in the last minute, lead to the OEL goal. It must be kinda nice for Raanta
to be getting goal support lately. The team put up 7 goals his last game.
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EXTERNAL ICE – Green = Good for the Coyotes. White = Not good.
Flames (3) 73pts. vs Lightning (4). The Flames have now played 66 games. This
loss by them today helped the Coyotes out.
Avalanche (3) vs Predators (2), in that one the Nashville loss helped out the Coyotes keeping the Preds at 72 points on the season.
Avalanche (3) vs Predators (2), in that one the Nashville loss helped out the Coyotes keeping the Preds at 72 points on the season.
Canucks (2) vs Maple Leafs (4). This loss by the Canucks
also helped the Coyotes keeping Vancouver at 74 pts.
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