The Phoenix Coyotes, most notably known in the media for their continuously pending franchise ownership/move, will start to generate buzz about the team’s chances of winning the Stanley Cup. Bolstering a well balanced team, offensively, defensively and in net, the Coyotes should be a team to fear come playoffs.
Currently in 3rd spot within the Western Conference with 75 points, the Coyotes have won 7 of their last 10 games. The run, definitely good, looks even better when compared to Pacific Division competitors the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks, who have 73 points and 7th spot, are in a slump going 2-7-1 in their last 10. On a bright note for Sharks fans, San Jose has a game in hand. But will the Coyotes depth prevail to keep them on top the Pacific Division?
Offensively, the Coyotes are top heavy in points with Ray Whitney and Radim Vrbata, but still have scoring potential through the lines with Captain Shane Doan, Martin Hanzel, Lauri Korpikoski and veteran Dayond Langkow. Whiteny, definitely more of a set-up man, leads the team in points with 59. The 39 year old won a Stanley Cup in the 2005-2006 season with the Carolina Hurricanes. Vrbata on the other hand is the team’s goal leader with 30 goals and 54 points. Vrbata’s career high came in 2007-2008 with the Coyotes as he tallied 56 points; this should be easily beaten this year. Both players have a plus minus rating of positive 23 and 21. Doan, Hanzel, Korpikoski and Langkow combine for 50 goals; that is 29.4 percent of the team’s total goals scored to date.
Defensively, Phoenix bolsters a respectable defensive line lead by Keith Yandle and young Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Yandle had a career high 11 goals and 48 assists for 59 points last season. This year he is on pace to end more around the high 40 point mark, but has 8 goals to date, only 3 less than last year, all of which have not been on the powerplay. Ekman-Larsson is in his second NHL season, and as fans know, defenseman take a longer time to develop. His point total seems like it will decline from last year’s performance, but the focus for most defenseman is keeping the puck out of the net; Ekman-Larsson has a negative one rating to date. Logging an average of 21 minutes and 28 seconds a game, it is a difficult to stay positive. Their ability to set-up plays and put the puck in occasionally creates havoc for their opponents.
Lastly, the Phoenix Coyotes netminder Mike Smith has been solid throughout the season. Smith signed as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season after a rather poor performance with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Most Coyote fans were nervous as longtime goalie Ilya Bryzaglov was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for a player and some picks. To date, Smith has a 29-16-7 record while Bryzgalov posts a 23-13-6 record. Phoenix had the better end of the deal, especially with Smith won all 11 of his games started in February, increasing his save percentage to .930 and lowering goals against average to 2.29.
The Coyotes are making it known they are not only a competitor for the Pacific Division lead, but also a contender for the Stanley Cup. As with all teams, if they stay healthy, the Coyotes could be a dark horse to win. Coyotes fans just hope they don’t get put up against the Detroit Red Wings in the first round, that of which doesn’t look likely.
