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Gonna be brief here…game time in a bit.
The Coyotes traveled to Denver last night to face one of the hottest teams in the league in the Colorado Avalanche. After taking two stupid penalties to start the game, the Coyotes were on their heels once teams went back to 5 on 5 hockey and they never really recovered eventually losing the game 4-1.
The Avs showed the Coyotes a part of their game that they’re missing….a killer instinct when playing with the lead. From the moment the Avs took the lead, they played smothering defense for a full 60 minutes. The Avs rarely allowed the Coyotes to establish the offensive zone, forcing numerous Coyotes mistakes and held players to little or no offensive scoring chances. For example, Coyotes Captain was held to no shots on goal for the majority of the game.
Now this article was initially going to be an indictment of the Coyotes lack of effort and discipline in the game. I was going to sum up their play with the Kings and last night with the Avs with this video of Coyotes Defenseman Zbynek Michalek just up and quitting when the empty net goal was scored.
However, it’s been reported on the Coyotes site Michalek is out with an injury which would explain his lack of effort on that empty net goal.
Given that, this video sums up how the Coyotes played last night.
Stupid penalties, lack of discipline, and a lack of effort is what lost the game for the Coyotes.
I’m giving credit to the Avs because they exploited the Coyotes weaknesses to the max. I mean, Let’s be honest here, the Avs played a hell of a defensive game to which the Coyotes had no answer to. No hitting, no game adjustments (from what I could see) just a game that the Coyotes need to forget about as they face the Blackhawks tonight at home.
Game highlights (apologies in advance as the Avs TV broadcasters are the absolute WORST in the NHL):
Game Summary:
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/GS020208.HTM
Event Summary:
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/ES020208.HTM
Play by Play:
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/PL020208.HTM
Faceoff Stats:
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/FC020208.HTM
Post Game Presser with Coyotes Coach Dave Tippett:
http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/podcastplayer.htm?pid=337&iid=16691
Avs Forward Paul Stastny’s post game comments:
Avs Goaltender Peter Budaj’s post game comments:
Denver Post post game write up:
