Brutal end to the first half for the Arizona Coyotes.
Losing 7-3 is bad enough, but to lose ironically to the Oilers is rough.
The Oilers are a team that is a goaltender away from being a Cup Contender, while the Coyotes have two goalies worthy of being starters, and yet they allow the Oilers to score a touchdown.
Yikes!
Of course Raanta has been in and out of the lineup with injuries and Kuemper hasn't played in a month, so the Coyotes are pretty much just biding their time until they get their goalies back.
That makes two losses in a row - both to division rivals - heading into the break.
The Coyotes now sit one point out of the division lead, and three points out of missing the playoffs all together.
The pacific division is either the crappiest division or the best, depending on how you look at it.
All five competitive teams in the division essentially have the same record and the Coyote are currently 18th overall and three points out of 6th overall.
Had Vancouver went to O.T last night and lost to the Sharks (in fact Vancouver won 4-1) it would have been a five way tie for the division lead. That's a veritable orgy of mathematical improbability. A five way is nearly unheard of!
The Coyotes are in good shape though. I think if they had of had Kuempner for the last month, they are easily winning the division and sitting top five in the NHL.
He should be back soon, and hopefully he will claim his Vezina as the Coyotes rocked to the top of the NHL standings.
Not only will they get Kuemper back soon, but they'll also get Hayton and it will be interesting to see how they use him after his star making performance at the World Juniors last month.
PLUS:Gemini Man is out on DVD and does not disappoint.
MINUS: Dougie Hamilton, a virtual lock to win his first career Norris (probably already should have one or two to be honest) has broken his leg. That just sucks.
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