Welcome to the AZ Coyotes Insider newsletter. My plan is to publish stories four to six times per week. By subscribing, you’ll be supporting independent, accountable journalism. Subscribe now so you won’t miss a story. Brad Richardson’s overtime goal against the Nashville Predators on Friday gave the Coyotes their first postseason win in eight years.
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!
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.
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!!!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!!!!!!!!!!!! HOWLLLLLLL. Great series!!!!
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.
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!!!
I don't think Schmaltz will draw back in even if healthy? No way Tocchet breaks up this cohesion, right?
I think Hinostroza & Grabner have rarely played together. I think they've looked dynamite on the same line?
Craig, great angle teaching out to Pres.
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... :)
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!
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.