With just nine games remaining in the Arizona Coyotes 2020-21 regular schedule, the hopes of being in the playoffs are slowly diminishing. They have three games against the Los Angeles Kings, four against the San Jose Sharks, and two against the Vegas Golden Knights. Five games are on the road, with four being played at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Coyotes Chances of Making the Playoffs Are Decreasing
The team finds themselves in the midst of losing ways lately. They’ve lost seven of their last eight games with the season winding down. After losing six straight, they thought they were back on target with an emotional win on Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues. Prior to the game, the team paid tribute to nine-year-old Leighton Accardo by placing her jersey in the team’s Ring of Honor. She tragically passed away from cancer.
The Coyotes actually fell behind 2-0 in the first period. After an intermission pep talk from captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the Yotes rallied by scoring three unanswered goals to win the game dedicated to Leighton. Newly promoted forward Michael Bunting provided the game-winner.
That was then, and this is now. After that Blues’ game, the Coyotes were scheduled to play back-to-back games against the Minnesota Wild. They went into this the last two games against the Minnesota club, knowing that they needed every win to stay alive in the playoff race. The Wild had already won five of six contests between the two teams. The Coyotes just couldn’t handle the Wild and lost both games by the scores of 5-2, and 4-1. While these losses seem catastrophic for postseason eligibility, they still have a much more conducive schedule than the Blues.
Four Games vs. San Jose Could be Decisive
The Coyotes are basically hoping that the four games they have scheduled against the San Jose Sharks could be the deciding factor as to their postseason fate. The Arizona club has handled the Sharks quite well this season. They have a 3-0-1 record good for seven of a possible eight points. They are pretty even with the Kings and against the Golden Knights… well they have been dominated losing five of six. If the Desert Dogs can split with the Vegas team and win three of four against the Sharks, they should have a shot. They also need to take two of three from the Kings.
The problem with the Coyotes is a lack of consistency. They haven’t put together a good winning streak longer than three games all season. This is crunch time for teams wanting to get to the playoffs. Head coach Rick Tocchet has been frustrated with his team’s results. He knows with his contract ending this season, his fate is also in jeopardy. The decision on whether or not Tocchet gets a new contract has been delayed until after the season ends.
While the Coyotes’ effort has been there, for the most part, the outcome has been less than fortunate. Their penalty kill this season has been nowhere near what it was or should be for a team fighting for the last playoff spot in the Western Division. They are only ranked 20th with a 78.9 percent kill rate. That means they either need to not get as many penalties, or tighten up the PK. Beyond that, their meagre offence surely can’t be relied upon to put some games in the win column.
The Good News
The good news for the Coyotes is in the four games with the Sharks they have not given up a power play goal to them. The other factor for the San Jose club is that they have been playing miserably as well. They’ve dropped seven straight including one shootout loss. This is the time for one of these teams to break out of their doldrums and win some games. For Coyotes fans they are hoping it is their team and not the Sharks who can do that.
What Has to Happen for the Arizona Coyotes Playoffs Hope to Survive
They most definitely need a winning streak. And we’re talking about at least a five-to-six-game string that will get them there. The only question is what then? Their opponent IF they make the playoffs will be either the Golden Knights or the Colorado Avalanche. With a combined record this season thus far against those two opponents the Coyotes are an extremely underwhelming 3-10-1. While some Coyotes fans just want to see their team get to the playoffs, others are leery of the outcome. Memories of a five-game thrashing from the Avalanche last season still linger. And, don’t forget those last two games which were not even close with twin 7-1 romps from the Colorado club.
Of course for this team to even consider moving on to the playoffs will be a long shot. Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic has done many prognostications (after games played on April 19th), and this one doesn’t favour the Coyotes’ chances of getting in the playoffs. When the numbers are showing the Blues with a 64 percent chance over the Coyotes’ 21 percent chance, that’s significant, to say the least. To make matters worse, forward Conor Garland (32 points in 45 games) is injured and could have really helped the team in these last nine games. Things don’t look good in the desert.
Without an Arizona Coyotes Playoffs Appearance, This Team Will Look Way Different Next Season
General manager Bill Armstrong really stuck his neck out by not making any moves at the trade deadline. Instead, he wants to see if the group he currently has can come together and win enough games to qualify for the postseason. He may have made a huge mistake. While most of the free agents he could have dealt may not have brought back much in return, by not making any deals he has all his cards on the table. The way it currently looks, he may have a losing hand.
The only way (and this could happen) the Coyotes can climb the tall mountain to get back into the competition is to have their star players step up. That means players like Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Jakob Chychrun, Christian Dvorak, and even Phil Kessel need to play like their contracts depended on it… because they may. If Armstrong made the commitment to the current group that he would keep them together and then they fail, some changes will be made. Armstrong doesn’t want to fall on his face in the first year of his contract. Players need to perform. It’s as simple as that… and if they don’t (just like head coaches) they are expendable.
It’s the NHL. That’s what happens.
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