Coyotes 09-10 Season Thread

[Lefty]

Coyotes have had their chances, especially early but Kipper has been stellar. I had him on my fantasy team last year so I have no ill feelings towards him. It looks like the Coyotes are playing this third period like the game is over.

 

[Lefty]

Just after I post my last thread Stempniak scores. Can the Cardiac Coyotes do it again?

 

[Lefty]

Coyotes lose 2-1 as the Flames get closer to the last playoff spot. Coyotes had many chances but Kipper was on top of their game. Coyotes need to win on Friday because Detroit is playing extremely well and possibly could catch the Coyotes if they don't start getting some needed points in the last four games.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I don't know how this team would score without Stempniak or Wolski at this point. They seem to be the only guys on the team that can put the puck in the net. I know Doan's giving 100% effort, but it's just unacceptable that he hasn't scored since January. Great goaltending and D can only take you so far, a couple guys really need to step it up offensively.

 

[Nasser22]

We definitely need our Captain to get it going again.... Hopefully a game vs. such a weak opponent will jump start a few of the guys. The team needs to end the season on a strong note because they can't come out flat vs. the Red Wings.

 

[Nasser22]

I will be at tonight's game! It's too bad I can't get the student discount now and have to pay double for worse seats (upper-level corner), but I just want to see them continue winning... I'm hoping for a 4-0 victory with Shane Doan finally getting a goal. That would be fantastic.

 

[Nasser22]

That was a great game to go to. What a battle between the goalies! A win is a win, but the power play really concerns me right now...We can't get away with that vs. better teams.

 

[Lefty]

That was a great game to go to. What a battle between the goalies! A win is a win, but the power play really concerns me right now...We can't get away with that vs. better teams.

A majority of teams have problems with scoring on the power play. If they play good defense, they will have be in most games and with the way they have been playing in overtime games, I like their chances.

Just need one more win to clinch the 4th spot. Also, Detroit scored with 37 seconds left to force overtime and got a big point. I really hope they can avoid them in the first round.

 

[Nasser22]

Is there a contending team that struggles nearly as much as we do? I don't know much about hockey, but I figure you can't give up your easier opportunities to score when you face the NHL's elite.... Edmonton is terrible and we kept them in the game like that.

I also like our chances in the playoffs. The Yotes have been unbelievably good since the trades and we've done a great job at setting up some scoring opportunities. I'd just like to see them finish...

Edit: Watching the Red Wings-Flyers game now...If Philly can finish this, there's a good chance we can avoid Detroit the first round. Nashville and then San Jose would probably be the best road to the WCF.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Is there a contending team that struggles nearly as much as we do? I don't know much about hockey, but I figure you can't give up your easier opportunities to score when you face the NHL's elite.... Edmonton is terrible and we kept them in the game like that.

I also like our chances in the playoffs. The Yotes have been unbelievably good since the trades and we've done a great job at setting up some scoring opportunities. I'd just like to see them finish...

Edit: Watching the Red Wings-Flyers game now...If Philly can finish this, there's a good chance we can avoid Detroit the first round. Nashville and then San Jose would probably be the best road to the WCF.

I'm officially worried. We still struggle mightily to score goals and seem to be backing into the playoffs. The offense really needs to get going or we'll lose in the first round.

 

[Lefty]

Is there a contending team that struggles nearly as much as we do? I don't know much about hockey, but I figure you can't give up your easier opportunities to score when you face the NHL's elite.... Edmonton is terrible and we kept them in the game like that.

I also like our chances in the playoffs. The Yotes have been unbelievably good since the trades and we've done a great job at setting up some scoring opportunities. I'd just like to see them finish...

Edit: Watching the Red Wings-Flyers game now...If Philly can finish this, there's a good chance we can avoid Detroit the first round. Nashville and then San Jose would probably be the best road to the WCF.

The Coyotes play Nashville on Wednesday and I think the best case scenario would be Nashville winning in overtime. The Coyotes a get a point and the Predators get two.

I know the lack of success on the power play is frustrating but defense wins championships and I think they have a good shot at winning a series if the games are low scoring rather than getting in a shootout. I believe in what Tippett is doing with this team.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I was at the game last night and it was a pretty fun time - the building got fairly electric at times and was a pretty large pro-coyotes crowd

of course, you still have some vocal dopes (like the guy behind me who yelled out about the linesman, saying that just because it was his last game doesn't mean he can't call penalties ..........) - they'll learn though ... at least they're there and involved

nice to secure the #4 seed and home ice in the first round - was also nice to get that empty net goal after the fans had gotten on their feet to applaud the team for the year

I think the coyotes could improve a little bit on some aspects though - i'm a little bit biased as a sharks fan, but they do some really cool stuff

i see that the players have started to throw hats over the glass this year if they are one of the 3 stars .... in SJ they autograph ministicks and hand them over the glass to reaching kids

also after they see the goalie after victories the players congregate at center ice and raise their sticks to the fans

sharkie is also on the ice really quickly with his sharks win banner

little things - but I think they're cool touches that distinguish SJ a bit from the rest and really help integrate them with the fans

it would of been nice last night for them to play up the playoffs a little bit more - they did mention real quickly that they secured home ice for the 1st round

i would of liked to of seen doan or someone get on the mic and thank the fans for their support and give a "we'll see you here next week as we chase the cup" or something like that

maybe a curtain call for this hard working team

something - the fans were still rocking well after the game - don't let that excitement just fade

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Yeah, the Coyotes players did the curtain call and fan appreciation stuff last Saturday as they had to be on a plane immediately after the game last night (playing in LA tonight). The Sharks from what I've seen are a first rate organization though, hopefully the new owners here (whoever that winds up being) are able to build something similar.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

good info - just seemed odd to have so little fanfare after the last home game on a night when they secured home ice in the 1st round

hopefully the 'yotes are tired and decide to rest some big guns tonight with their position secure .......... i would rather see the kings grab that 5 spot over detroit .... i'd really like to see the 'yotes grab a series win this year

 

[Lefty]

Coyotes were down 2-0 in the 3rd period and tied the game and won in a shootout over LA tonight. I was hoping they would lose in the shootout because I don't want to see Detroit in the first round.

 

[Nasser22]

Can't be scared...looking forward to Detroit

 

[Lefty]

Can't be scared...looking forward to Detroit

I know you said you weren't a big hockey fan, but Detroit is a team that can win it all and for the Coyotes first postseason series in eight years, I would like to see them play someone less talented.

The Red Wings are now completely healthy now and have shown why they are a legitimate contender. They have gone 14-3-2 since the Olympics and have a very good defense lead by Rafalski and Lidstrom. I'm not saying the Coyotes have no chance against Detroit because they do, but I would like their chances a little better against Nashville or LA.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I think there is reason to fear detroit - they are super hot right now, healthy and have played in the last 2 stanley cups

their style is built for the playoffs and they can wreak havoc on teams trying to establish the zone - their defense can all but eliminate good scoring opportunities

the kings control their own destiny - there is no way that detroit can surpass them in wins, so they must surpass them in points

both teams have 2 games left and are tied in points - LA controls their destiny at this point

the 'yotes are locked into the 4

i think the best matchup would be nashville (although they can get a little dirty in the playoffs.....) - even though they have more wins than either detroit or nashville they only have 1 game left and are 2 points behind

it looks like they may have the 7 and it will be my sharkies facing them again in the first round as I think chicago will win the conference

at this point I'd probably prefer to see the playoffs go something like this

1 - Chi
2 - SJ
3 - Van
4 - Phx
5 - LA
6 - Det
7 - Nashville
8 - Colorado

Chicago, SJ, Detroit & Phx advance

That would mean Chi v Detroit and SJ v Phx in the 2nd round (i just don't see detroit losing to anyone in the 1st round and no disrespect intended, but i'd much rather see phx in the 2nd round than detroit)

SJ & Detroit advance

SJ beats a detroit team worn out by their late season rally and difficult series against vancouver & chicago

 

[Lefty]

Detroit won tonight.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

that ensures that nashville can't jump them

the kings get edmonton tommorrow, the preds get st. louis

chicago also won today

if SJ can beat Phoenix and LA can beat Edmonton things will get real interesting going in to the last day

Detroit plays Chicago and LA plays Colorado

LA would need to win to secure the #5 - if they do that then detroit is the #6 regardless of what they do

If LA loses to either edm or colorado - they'd need detroit to drop a point against Chicago

however, if SJ beats the 'yotes they'll need chicago to drop a point to get the 1 seed

should be a fun weekend

 

[Nasser22]

I really would rather play Detroit. I'm confident in the team we have...I know Detroit will be tough. I know enough about hockey to know what they're all about and that they are great when healthy. Beating Detroit would be HUGE for this team and I'd rather get an opportunity at that than going up again a team we should beat. We have a similar record since the Olympics...I think it would be a helluva series, definitely not dominated by Detroit. And if I'm going to spend my money, when I'm only making 7.60 and hour....I want to see this series happen.

Also, I have quite a few friends who are Detroit fans and just having the opportunity to knock them out would be a great thing for me.

If we're scared of playing the best, we might as well stay home and regroup for next year. I'm just really excited for some playoff hockey guys. When the Suns made the playoffs, I would always hope for the easy road, but losing in the second round feels no better than the first.

I'm going to bed now. Long night. Even though it's still early...


Edit: So they're thinking of changing the team name to the Glendale Coyotes if they stay here. It makes sense, but I'd much prefer the Arizona Coyotes.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

this team hasn't won a playoff series in over 20 years

there is no team that they "should" beat

get that 1st playoff win under your belt

better than getting run out by detroit in 6 and hearing how the season was all smoke and mirrors and they couldn't hang with a legit team

 

[Nasser22]

this team hasn't won a playoff series in over 20 years

there is no team that they "should" beat

get that 1st playoff win under your belt

better than getting run out by detroit in 6 and hearing how the season was all smoke and mirrors and they couldn't hang with a legit team

I feel we will hear that anyway if we were to lose to a legit team. Beating an LA or Nashville would be exciting for a few days. Maybe you're right about how others in Arizona would see it.

Edit: Okay, I agree and disagree...regardless of the past, Nashville and LA are teams that we should beat because we are clearly better. Losing to them would be more damaging than losing to Detroit.

However, you are right about how much a series win can mean. Thinking back to the Cardinals in the playoffs, finally getting a win was huge. I just do believe that we can beat Detroit. We will see... I'm going to enjoy going to Game 1 (hopefully I can get tickets from where I'm supposed to).

 

[Lefty]

I really would rather play Detroit. I'm confident in the team we have...I know Detroit will be tough. I know enough about hockey to know what they're all about and that they are great when healthy. Beating Detroit would be HUGE for this team and I'd rather get an opportunity at that than going up again a team we should beat. We have a similar record since the Olympics...I think it would be a helluva series, definitely not dominated by Detroit. And if I'm going to spend my money, when I'm only making 7.60 and hour....I want to see this series happen.

Also, I have quite a few friends who are Detroit fans and just having the opportunity to knock them out would be a great thing for me.

If we're scared of playing the best, we might as well stay home and regroup for next year. I'm just really excited for some playoff hockey guys. When the Suns made the playoffs, I would always hope for the easy road, but losing in the second round feels no better than the first.

I'm going to bed now. Long night. Even though it's still early...


Edit: So they're thinking of changing the team name to the Glendale Coyotes if they stay here. It makes sense, but I'd much prefer the Arizona Coyotes.

Agree. I think winning a series will bring more interest from the community. If they get run out by Detroit, then the season won't be viewed that great. They need to get by the first round to get the hype going.
But, if they beat Detoit, I could see what Nasser is saying.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

yeah - beating them is great credibility ..... i'm just not sure there are many teams that can beat them right now

i think the red wings would win in 6 vs the 'yotes - which isn't a knock against phx

i'd rather see a team that will not have a huge local fan base and one that would probably be favored to win in the 1st round - would be kind of deflating to lose in a building that is 25% red and hear stuff like "they could only sell out playoff games because it was detroit" - "wow, look at all the detroit fans" - "as soon as they faced a real team in a series they buckled", etc

now a win would shut all of that up for sure

but it's a pure gamble and the playoffs are hard enough as it is

tommorrow will be interesting though - if LA picks up a point and Chicago wins in regulation then detroit will fall to the 7 seed and will face #2 SJ .... which I really do not want

If Detroit wins the game SJ is the 1 seed and Detroit is the 5 - the 6/7 would depend on the LA game - LA would need a full 2 points to be the #6

If Detroit losing in regulation Chicago is the #1 seed and the kings game takes on extra interest - a win makes the kings the #5 and Detroit the #7 - a regulation loss makes the kings the #7 and detroit the #6 - an OT loss would the kings #6 and detroit #7

If Detroit loses in OT they would jump nashville and unless the kings picked up both points they would be the #5 seed with the preds #6 and kings #7 - if detroit loses in OT and the kings win then you get the kings #5, detroit #6 and nashville #7