The Coyotes and Predators played their first game yesterday and the results were good if you're a Coyotes fan.
The 'Yotes took an early lead off one of the most bizarre goals you'll ever see - a point shot hit a skate, bounced in the air off the shoulder of a player in the faceoff circle, went straight up off the goalie's ass and into the net.
1-0 Coyotes.
From there, the Coyotes scored two more goals in just about eight minutes. They would have entered the intermission up 3-0 but a puck off a skate beat Kuemper with two seconds left.
After a really good first, the Coyotes had 23% possession in the second and 38% possession in the third.
At even strength, the Predators had 58% of the shots and 64% of the scoring chances.
The Coyotes had one player - ONE - over 50% CF and it was Connor Garland who they played for under six minutes 5v5.
Rick Tocchet put on a coaching clinic last night - Taylor Hall - the team's best player by the same amount that the Beatles are better than the New Kids on the Block - played just 10 minutes 5v5.
For context, that is less than 11 players.
Players the coach thought should play more than Taylor Hall: Jordan Oesterle, Christian Fischer, Carl Soderberg and Brad Richardson.
Rick Tocchet, ladies and gentlemen.
Oh yeah, Christian Dvorak played 8:34 5v5.
But hey, you know the old saying: If you want to win, play your worst players the most.
Good times.
Darcy Kuemper won this game, and Darcy Kuemper will decide if the Coyotes win the series. It certainly won't be their best players, since they will sit on the bench wondering what exactly their coach is looking for.
Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»