14 replies to this topic

[CoyoteQ]

The words "special teams" evoke much wailing and gnashing of teeth among Coyotes fans, and for good reason. The Coyotes have been agonizingly bad on the power play and tantalizingly good on the penalty kill. So what will the Desert Dogs need to do to generate some more consistency?

The Good

The Coyotes needed a major rebound on their penalty kill after the 2010-11 season, in which they finished 26th in the NHL (78.4% on PK). The Coyotes were shorthanded 296 times that year, meaning they surrendered a power play goal at a rate of about 1 per 80 minutes of play. That had to change.

Thankfully for the Coyotes, it did. Last season the Coyotes killed off 85.5% of their penalties, good enough for 8th best in the NHL. Equally as important, they took 47 fewer penalties last year, which meant they weren't putting themselves at a disadvantage as often. In total, the Coyotes gave up 36 power play goals, which helped them stay in a lot of close games.

More!

[CoyoteQ]

The penalty kill unit could be off to a rough start in 2013 however. Boyd Gordon, one the team's critical face-off and penalty kill specialists, injured himself while practicing earlier this week in a collision with Kyle Chipchura. While management isn't saying anything about the extent of Gordon's injury, if he does not play or is not at 100%, the Phoenix PK unit will be less effective.

Ah crap.

[HockeyKate30]

Oh hell! Our special teams werent great to begin with.

[CoyoteQ]

Oh hell! Our special teams werent great to begin with.

At least not the powerplay part of it.

[52G228PIM1996-97]

At least not the powerplay part of it.

Don't call it a "power play"..

[52G228PIM1996-97]

At best it is two mintues the other team probably won't score..

[Spy]

At best it is two mintues the other team probably won't score..

The key word there is "probably"

[CoyoteQ]

The key word there is "probably"

[HockeyKate30]

Don't call it a "power play"..

I call it our powerless play

[Spy]

I think the NHL should have the same rule as the NFL on penalties. The team should be given the option to decline the penalty.

[CoyoteQ]

I think the NHL should have the same rule as the NFL on penalties. The team should be given the option to decline the penalty.

I've been saying that for years when it comes to us. lol...same with calling it the powerless play.

[goldenbear64]

I think the NHL should have the same rule as the NFL on penalties. The team should be given the option to decline the penalty.

i constantly scream "Decline the penalty".....cracks up the folks around me..

[dadevilscoyotes22]

Maybe if they get someone to screen the goalie better on the PP more shots might go in.

[Spy]

The Coyotes screening the opposing goalie Come now! The opposing team screen our goalie is commonplace but two flaws the Coyotes seem to have year to year is Not getting people in front of the net and just shooting the damn puck It seems like they are always looking for the perfect - sure shot.

This point has been edited by Spy: 18 January 2013 - 09:49 AM

[CoyoteQ]

The Coyotes screening the opposing goalie Come now! The opposing team screen our goalie is commonplace but two flaws the Coyotes seem to have year to year is Not getting people in front of the net and just shooting the damn puck It seems like they are always looking for the perfect - sure shot.

And that goes back to the Gretzky days even.