The Coyotes kicked off the Don Cherry Free (and let me say hallelujah) era of the NHL this week with victories over the Capitals and the Blues.

For the Coyotes, it seemed like a disastrous schedule because they had recently lost to the Wild and Blue Jackets, two of the NHL's worst teams, and now had to face two of the NHL's best teams.

With games back-to-back, to boot.

Well, it's didn't really go well, but if we just look at the results, we can be happy.

The Coyotes played pretty badly overall, but managed to pick up four of a possible four points.

Not too shabby.

Against the Capitals they blew a three goal lead, and against the Blues they played a - hard to believe - 31% possession game, and still somehow managed the victory.

How bad was it?

The Blues got more shots on net at 5v5 than the Coyotes had shot-attempts.

Overall, the Coyotes attempted 35 shots, while the Blues put 35 shots on net.

Like most Coyotes victories, this one goes to Darcy Kuemper and Darcy Kuemper alone. Remember this guy is coming off probably the best individual season for a goalie in the history of the NHL where the goalie in question's team failed to make the playoffs.

And he caused a brouhaha on the weekend by trash talking his old Wild teammates who apparently were not impressed.

You know who was impressed? Me. Because this guy is unbelievable.

He currently has a .931 save percentage and a GAA under two.

He would be first but the (totally for real) Islanders have a goalie with a .942 which is bonkers, but then again, Kuemper (who also probably can't sustain these numbers) has faced 100 more shots and played four more games.

Amazing!

But you know what isn't amazing? Trying to tell people your racist comments were misunderstood by going on the White Power Hour with Tucker Carlson.

That is like if you were accused of murder and hired O.J Simpson as your lawyer. Oh man!

So this new, more inclusive, way better, less octogenarian era of hockey is off to a great start. Coyotes are 2-0 baby!!!!!

Stats from nhl.com and naturalstattrick.com

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