The Arizona Coyotes lost in overtime the other night to the Flyers, but they may have found a novel new strategy that no NHL team has ever considered before: taking penalties on purpose.
The Coyotes have defended 45 powerplays this year so far, and they are killing them off at 91% by far the best in the NHL. (Only one other team , the Lightning, is in the 90%s).
Even more impressive, the Coyotes have nine short-handed goals, while allowing only four power-play goals against.
That is correct - not a typo - the Coyotes are +5 goal differential on the penalty kill, almost one fifth through the season.
The Arizona Coyotes penalty kill is scoring at a higher rate than 14 teams powerplays, including their own. Their PK would be the 17th ranked PP in the league. #OurPackpic.twitter.com/5rsXQxamHM
Now, clearly this is a statistical anomaly and not something that can continue. If there was any stat more ripe for regression, I've never seen it. The Coyotes are simply not going to kill 90% of their penalties and there is no way they will score more shorties than power-play goals allowed. But still, it's really fun that it's happening.
Unfortunately, the power-play really sucks! They've only got two more PP goals than short-handed goals, and this run of PK excellence has really drawn into sharp relief how crappy their power-play is.
First major problem:
Christian Fischer and Derek Stepan play more per game on the PP than Dylan Strome. IMO Rick Tocchet's usage of Strome should be enough cause to fire him, but it seems he is never going anywhere.
Another thing I would try is using Alex Goligoski over OEL on the first unit. OEL is a great player, but he's more of an all-round great player, not necessarily a power-play specialist, which Goligoski is.
I also like what Jordan Oesterle can do with the puck and he might be worth trying as a QB. I mean, try something, right?
Last game the Coyotes didn't really play that good, especially in the third, but on the road with your back-up goalie, getting a single point is an acceptable result. Unfortunately, they have to face the Penguins tonight and they are due.
The Penguins are in turmoil and maybe they're in for some trouble, but any team that has Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Kessel and is struggling makes me wary. The Coyotes can definitely beat a struggling Penguins team, but can they beat one that is angry and due for some luck?
Tonight's game will feature Richard Panik as a healthy scratch, Josh Archibald will sub in for him. Darcey Kuemper is back in net as Rantta is still injured and Goligoski is out, with, I assume old age related issues.
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