One very encouraging takeaway was the spread out offense. Contributions up and down the lineup caused a few matchup issues. Nashville on the other hand did not get as much from their lower lines, although Duchense did show up and play in game 4.
Craig, couldn’t help how things play out: NHL season ends in an abrupt and weird fashion, theAthletic shows their bias vs. the Coyotes by letting you go (now whoever writes does so with their predictable Canadian bias which looks at AZ with scorn), you go freelance and subscriptions blow up (speaks to your writing/reporting plus their is hockey interest and IQ in the desert), a team that weathers a GM who bails on them right before the playin round (classy timing), ownership that seems animated and determined to change the narrative, the team that enters this round knowing they’d need stand-on-your-head goaltending (which we knew wasn’t a stretch),and lo & behold they bounce Nashville in 4 games. Anyone who followed the Coyotes knew this was a very possible script. Interesting how the lower seeds played “hungrier.” So, my props to you for not bailing, no tears for The Athletic being so wrong. Now on to the real Stanley Cup Playoffs. People may not like the way things were done but the NHL gave major league sports a lesson on how to do things. Here’s to hoping AZ experiences a big revenue stream boost. Plus, I know about “Coyotes hockey” mystique, but hoping for a quicker first 10-minute start in the Playoffs. Keep writing!
Hey you forgot the ultimate smack at the Canadian elitists....A boy from AZ, where no one knows hockey and hockey doesn't belong was their golden boy who scored in OT to clinch in TO.... Yeah hockey does belong here!
An incredible series and huge effort from the Coyotes. Very encouraging to see them not roll over after that crushing late equaliser.
Great to see the players of whom we have highest expectations rise to the occasion. Proof in this series that it takes a village also, with 16 players getting at least a point.
I'm seeing so much whining from old school hockey folks about the best players missing from the playoffs (Crosby, McDavid, Josi etc) and I hope the Coyotes are listening, as knowing nobody wants you there can be a powerful catalyst.
Not content with eliminating the consensus pick for the Norris, the Coyotes now set their sights on dumping out the remaining Hart finalist. Bring it on.
Hey Craig, thanks for asking Darcy a question in the post game interview. Poor bastard was just sitting there the entire time and questions went from Richie to Oesterle and back again. Media almost squashed our MVP’s swagger hahaha!
First off, thank you Craig for taking a chance on this Insider format. Could not bear the thought of a Playoff run without your Coyotes coverage. Keep up the GREAT work!
Now the game, I literally fell to the floor when the Forsburg goal happened. All my pessimistic thoughts surged forward. Started thinking about how we will get screwed, as usual, for a #1 pick, and how that and the GM switch and salary cap team breakup will be the narrative going forward. But this team surprised. They overcame adversity and saved the day against all historical odds. What a great feeling.
As far as the first round, Vegas or Colorado will be extremely tough. You'd be a fool to pick the Yotes over either team. But anything goes in 2020 right? As long as they make it competitive, I will be happy. And right were I expected them to be 3 years ago. A playoff team.
That's pretty much where I stand, too. The season is a success now. They made the playoffs. Anything beyond this is gravy, but yes, a competitive series would help even more.
Holy Heck, what a game, my heart has just now gone down to a more normal beat pattern! Love seeing Grabner grabbing pucks and skating hard, I predicted he'd come around...that final goal..didn't happen with out Vinnie's pass, a thing of beauty! Looking forward to our next opponent, sort of, gonna be tough regardless of which team we play...howl on boys and howl yea I want to win!!!
So great you already have that respect and reputation with the new ownership. That the VP willing to take your call, a freelancer, during personal celebration time with his family.
Good for the team. They won like I thought they would, w/ superior goaltending. However to me they were outplayed from the point they were up 4-1 in game 1 all the way through the rest of the series.
And Chicago, not a shocker. Lots of vets, short series, championship caliber goaltender.
Pittsburgh, is their window coming to a close? Where do they go from here.
#1 pick to Pittsburgh, Edmonton or possibly Toronto, say it ain't so.
Still believe Chayka did a lousy job and the team is in tough going into next year, but his one really good move was Kuemper. Have to give him credit for that. They are in for a rough go vs Vegas or Colorado it seems. Think it will be hard to win more than one game.
Another insane performance from Darcy, but heck, I"ll take it. Looking forward to seeing the boys play a true playoff series in a few days. Thanks again for another good article, Craig.
In the past decade, The Coyotes have dominated the Oilers. Literally at a historic level. The insanity in me says the Coyotes dominance in Edmonton is a long time coming. Even during the infamous “Sam Gagner” season we swept the Oilers. The Coyotes just straight up play better in Edmonton.
This will be decided soon I know, but who does everyone think the Coyotes match up better against? COL or VGK? I thought the Coyotes had match up issues with the bigger Vegas team during their summer training game, but Colorado has a lethal first line and power play. 7 game series right? Can we un-unfit Raanta somehow? Great job as always Craig. Beers (plural) now!
I feel like we got eaten alive every time we faced VGK this season, even though I'm pretty sure we won one or two. They're just so much more physical and unless you have Hall and (ha) you Keller start throwing their (ha) weight around, or really just proving they're willing to hit, we get steamrolled. I was in Vegas for our late December game with them and it was a goddamn blood bath. I know the Avs have some real speed and skill, but I feel like our system and our (lack of) size doesn't work great against Vegas.
The Richardson, Hinastrosa, Grabner line was VERY reminiscent of 2018. It was a good matchup last game. Was liking what I was seeing.
Man playoff hockey is great. Or play in hockey, whatever.
Just love watching the series. This one was fun because we got to see the band get back together with Grabner, Richardson, Hinastrosa, and Stephan even (PK). It looks like they been able to resurrect some chemistry.
And, so neat to see how the young guys are stepping up. I was able to see kind of a sharp learning curve for both Fisher and Hall. Crouser too.
Anybody else watching it again? It’s a different kind of fun without the stress!
lol.
One very encouraging takeaway was the spread out offense. Contributions up and down the lineup caused a few matchup issues. Nashville on the other hand did not get as much from their lower lines, although Duchense did show up and play in game 4.
An excellent observation that we will be discussing today on The Nattie Hattie podcast.
Craig, couldn’t help how things play out: NHL season ends in an abrupt and weird fashion, theAthletic shows their bias vs. the Coyotes by letting you go (now whoever writes does so with their predictable Canadian bias which looks at AZ with scorn), you go freelance and subscriptions blow up (speaks to your writing/reporting plus their is hockey interest and IQ in the desert), a team that weathers a GM who bails on them right before the playin round (classy timing), ownership that seems animated and determined to change the narrative, the team that enters this round knowing they’d need stand-on-your-head goaltending (which we knew wasn’t a stretch),and lo & behold they bounce Nashville in 4 games. Anyone who followed the Coyotes knew this was a very possible script. Interesting how the lower seeds played “hungrier.” So, my props to you for not bailing, no tears for The Athletic being so wrong. Now on to the real Stanley Cup Playoffs. People may not like the way things were done but the NHL gave major league sports a lesson on how to do things. Here’s to hoping AZ experiences a big revenue stream boost. Plus, I know about “Coyotes hockey” mystique, but hoping for a quicker first 10-minute start in the Playoffs. Keep writing!
Thanks, Harold.
Hey you forgot the ultimate smack at the Canadian elitists....A boy from AZ, where no one knows hockey and hockey doesn't belong was their golden boy who scored in OT to clinch in TO.... Yeah hockey does belong here!
Great take. The WCF Coyotes team went far playing with a chip on their shoulder. A tight room in this environment is a great intangible.
An incredible series and huge effort from the Coyotes. Very encouraging to see them not roll over after that crushing late equaliser.
Great to see the players of whom we have highest expectations rise to the occasion. Proof in this series that it takes a village also, with 16 players getting at least a point.
I'm seeing so much whining from old school hockey folks about the best players missing from the playoffs (Crosby, McDavid, Josi etc) and I hope the Coyotes are listening, as knowing nobody wants you there can be a powerful catalyst.
Not content with eliminating the consensus pick for the Norris, the Coyotes now set their sights on dumping out the remaining Hart finalist. Bring it on.
The balanced scoring was impressive.They will need every bit of that against Colorado.
Hey Craig, thanks for asking Darcy a question in the post game interview. Poor bastard was just sitting there the entire time and questions went from Richie to Oesterle and back again. Media almost squashed our MVP’s swagger hahaha!
Ha! He's been the focal point all series. Maybe he enjoyed less attention for a day.
FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!! HOWLLLLLLL. Great series!!!!
Enjoy.
First off, thank you Craig for taking a chance on this Insider format. Could not bear the thought of a Playoff run without your Coyotes coverage. Keep up the GREAT work!
Now the game, I literally fell to the floor when the Forsburg goal happened. All my pessimistic thoughts surged forward. Started thinking about how we will get screwed, as usual, for a #1 pick, and how that and the GM switch and salary cap team breakup will be the narrative going forward. But this team surprised. They overcame adversity and saved the day against all historical odds. What a great feeling.
As far as the first round, Vegas or Colorado will be extremely tough. You'd be a fool to pick the Yotes over either team. But anything goes in 2020 right? As long as they make it competitive, I will be happy. And right were I expected them to be 3 years ago. A playoff team.
That's pretty much where I stand, too. The season is a success now. They made the playoffs. Anything beyond this is gravy, but yes, a competitive series would help even more.
I’m hoping Muruelo can hire Vegas’s GM.
Or at least maybe a person he knows.
Didn’t take 8 years to build that franchise and leap frog over more established clubs.
Hope Muruelo is on it....Ha
Thanks!!!
Holy Heck, what a game, my heart has just now gone down to a more normal beat pattern! Love seeing Grabner grabbing pucks and skating hard, I predicted he'd come around...that final goal..didn't happen with out Vinnie's pass, a thing of beauty! Looking forward to our next opponent, sort of, gonna be tough regardless of which team we play...howl on boys and howl yea I want to win!!!
"Winning is more fun." -- Captain Obvious
I don't think Schmaltz will draw back in even if healthy? No way Tocchet breaks up this cohesion, right?
Dunno. If it's Colorado, they could use his speed.
I think Hinostroza & Grabner have rarely played together. I think they've looked dynamite on the same line?
They have actually played together quite a bit with Richardson in between them. So much speed...
Craig, great angle teaching out to Pres.
He was legitimately out of breath. He was so elated.
So great you already have that respect and reputation with the new ownership. That the VP willing to take your call, a freelancer, during personal celebration time with his family.
Good for the team. They won like I thought they would, w/ superior goaltending. However to me they were outplayed from the point they were up 4-1 in game 1 all the way through the rest of the series.
And Chicago, not a shocker. Lots of vets, short series, championship caliber goaltender.
Pittsburgh, is their window coming to a close? Where do they go from here.
#1 pick to Pittsburgh, Edmonton or possibly Toronto, say it ain't so.
Dave Tippett can't coach defense... :)
I like this new Tippett narrative. It's as good as any I have heard before.
Always been known for his run n gun style... Man can't coach structure... :-/
Start spreading that news. Somebody will believe it.
Still believe Chayka did a lousy job and the team is in tough going into next year, but his one really good move was Kuemper. Have to give him credit for that. They are in for a rough go vs Vegas or Colorado it seems. Think it will be hard to win more than one game.
Those are both brutal matchups for different reasons.
Dial up the trap... A little 1-2-2 special.
Another insane performance from Darcy, but heck, I"ll take it. Looking forward to seeing the boys play a true playoff series in a few days. Thanks again for another good article, Craig.
Next round will be a nasty matchup.
Thanks for reading, James.
In the past decade, The Coyotes have dominated the Oilers. Literally at a historic level. The insanity in me says the Coyotes dominance in Edmonton is a long time coming. Even during the infamous “Sam Gagner” season we swept the Oilers. The Coyotes just straight up play better in Edmonton.
Haha! There may be something to that, and apparently they have better luck there than the home team.
This will be decided soon I know, but who does everyone think the Coyotes match up better against? COL or VGK? I thought the Coyotes had match up issues with the bigger Vegas team during their summer training game, but Colorado has a lethal first line and power play. 7 game series right? Can we un-unfit Raanta somehow? Great job as always Craig. Beers (plural) now!
I feel like they play VGK better (exhibition game notwithstanding) but I fear a Keller-Garland line would get crushed in that series.
Colorado & Vegas are tough matchup for vastly different reasons.
Two very tough matchups.
I feel like we got eaten alive every time we faced VGK this season, even though I'm pretty sure we won one or two. They're just so much more physical and unless you have Hall and (ha) you Keller start throwing their (ha) weight around, or really just proving they're willing to hit, we get steamrolled. I was in Vegas for our late December game with them and it was a goddamn blood bath. I know the Avs have some real speed and skill, but I feel like our system and our (lack of) size doesn't work great against Vegas.
The Richardson, Hinastrosa, Grabner line was VERY reminiscent of 2018. It was a good matchup last game. Was liking what I was seeing.
Man playoff hockey is great. Or play in hockey, whatever.
Just love watching the series. This one was fun because we got to see the band get back together with Grabner, Richardson, Hinastrosa, and Stephan even (PK). It looks like they been able to resurrect some chemistry.
And, so neat to see how the young guys are stepping up. I was able to see kind of a sharp learning curve for both Fisher and Hall. Crouser too.
Fisch is really impressing!
Love this!!!!! And winning helps.