We’re going backward.
It’s not completely the Coyotes’ fault. Jaroslav Halak stood on his head so that his team could weather the first period storm.
Then, during the second and most of the third period, the storm was over and it was a peaceful experience on the ice for the Blues as they scored four goals.
And then, all of the sudden, with less than two minutes to go, the Coyotes just added an extra gear and made it close scoring two goals in a span of slightly more than a minute. After Doan’s goal in the first half of the third, these two others brought the lead to within one.
They still lost, but they lost more than a game.
The Blues increased their lead by two points over the Coyotes.
The Anaheim Ducks won their matchup against the Flyers last night to hold on to the eighth spot in the conference.
The Coyotes fall further back in slide into the 12th spot behind Columbus, Chicago, and Nashville.
It doesn’t get any easier.
What makes this slide confusing for the average fan (namely me), is that we lose Brett Maclean to San Antonio. When he was paired with Mikkel Boedker (who was a healthy scratch last night) and Kyle Turris, they lit the rink and the team on fire. Everyone stepped up and played well.
What message does that send? Play well and you have to wait longer as people take your spot that haven’t produced anything?
Who knows?
Because we have the same contributors. Doan scores two, and Lauri Korpikoksi picks up another. Eric Belanger picks up his first point in his last five (still hasn’t scored a goal since November) and Scottie Upshall contributes on both the Doan and Korpikoski goals (first time he has scored multiple points in back-to-back games all season).
With the return of Radim Vrbata, Taylor Pyatt, and Martin Hanzal, Maclean’s departure could have been a factor of numbers.
The veteran players can’t be sent down because they would have to clear waivers and other teams can pick them up for free. General Manager Don Maloney would want some assets in return. So our attention now turns to the entry level players.
Turris, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Boedker, and David Schlemko (also a healthy scratch).
To keep Maclean, Schlemko or Ekman-Larsson would have to be sent down. Out of the two, Ekman-Larsson would be my choice. When Schlemko was paired with Sami Lepisto, they were part of two shutout games for the Coyotes.
Then, two of the other veteran forwards would have to sit to put in Boedker and Maclean. Vrbata didn’t do anything in his return and Belanger notched an assist. The only way both Boedker and Maclean can be in the lineup is to have Vrbata continue his lack of production and Belanger go another five games or so doing the same; then scratch both of them.
Then, you will have Vrbata, Belanger, and Wolski sit for an extended period of time.
I guess that wouldn’t work either.
So now what? Hopefully, time will not run out before the important decisions can be made.
Because I’m expecting this team to be in the playoffs and go through the first round. At the 12th spot, that is a significant challenge.
Original Story:
http://onefansperspective.com/2011/01...
