Mini-Playoffs
The Phoenix Coyotes and the Anaheim Ducks were dealt an interesting hand due to the abbreviated season. In five nights, the Pacific Division rivals would see each other three times. Twice in Glendale and once in Anaheim. The short series was said by some to be sort of a mini playoffs considering how close the Pacific is. And neither team wasted any time matching the hype surrounding the series, as 32 goals were scored in the first two games.
Deja Vu
While both teams have thrown everything they had at each other, late pushes by the Phoenix Coyotes have helped carry games into overtime and then into a shoot out. Yes, both games have the identical score and outcome.
But while the Coyotes entered Monday’s contest at 9th in the Western Conference before leap frogging into 4th, the highlight were the milestones reached in 60 minutes of play.
On a rebound shot from Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Antoine Vermette got the Coyotes on the board early in the second with his 150th career goal. Quickly joining him would be All-star defenseman Keith Yandle as he netted his 200th career point. But the real show stopper would be Coyotes’ captain Shane Doan earning his 800th career point. Doan now trails behind Dale Hawerchuk for most points in Jets/Coyotes franchise history by 129 goals.
Looking Ahead
Shane Doan and Co. will look to continue the momentum going into Wednesday’s game in Anahiem. In both games, a tired looking Anaheim Ducks returned from second intermission. While the Coyotes used this to their advantage, they can expect the Ducks’ head coach Bruce Brodeur to address this between now and Wednesday’s contest.