One game a season does not make it, but the Phoenix Coyotes provided a glimpse of what could be an interesting season ahead.
In registering an opening-night 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers before a home sellout crowd of 17,125 and new owner George Gosbee Thursday night, the Coyotes showed why they can be a very good team or a marginal squad.
On this night, they threw the clock back two years ago and rode the coattails of goalie Mike Smith, who turned away 23 of 24 Ranger shots. In the process, Smith showed flashes of his play two years ago in leading the Coyotes to the Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Kings.
If the Coyotes exercise the same kind of puck pursuit, puck management and face-off control in the coming months, this could be one of the surprise teams.
Then again, if the work ethic, discipline and execution displayed in the opening-night win over the Rangers is compromised, Phoenix will likely watch the Stanley Cup playoffs on television next spring.
“We were quick to get in our system and to stay there,” said captain Shane Doan, who led the Coyotes with five shots on goal. “This is what we need to d ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Mark Brown
Was the Phoenix Coyotes’ Opening-Night Win a Sign of Things to Come?
October 4th, 2013 by Mark Brown Leave a reply »
Advertisement