It’s been awhile since the words “winning streak” and “Arizona Coyotes” have been able to be used in the same sentence.
The Coyotes have struggled to string together more than two consecutive wins since their five game winning streak over the past five Stanley Cup Champions that spanned from November 25th (2-0 W @ Las Vegas) until December 4th (6-0 vs Washington) that was snapped by a four game string of losses, before the Coyotes won two consecutive, in as many days, against the San Jose Sharks (1-0 on 12/15) and the Buffalo Sabres (2-0 on 12/16).
Everyone knows about the 14 straight losses handed to the Coyotes, that eclipsed the last three games pre All-Star break, the entirety of the month of February, only to be ended on March 1st, when all seemed bright for the Coyotes to be undefeated in March, a feat they held for two days, before losing on home ice to the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2.
HOW TO: BEAT PLAYOFF CONTENDING DALLAS
The Dallas Stars sit in the third and final spot in the Central Division, in the playoffs if they manage to stay locked in.
Fresh off a win over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, the same day the Coyotes defeated the New Jersey Devils at Mullett Arena, Dallas is on game four of a five game homestand before the start of a four game west coast roadtrip to close out the month of March, and ratchet down the push to the playoffs into the month of April.
With Jake Oettinger in between the pipes for the Stars, the main key is early zone control.
In each of their last two wins, the Coyotes have scored in under ten minutes into the first period. Offensive zone time has been at a high for the Coyotes as of late, and with their youth beginning to click, it’s paramount to get shots on and control the offensive third before Oettinger settles into his stirrups.
Jani Hakanpää is out of the lineup for the Stars after suffering an injury on Sunday.
INGRAM STANDS TALL
Connor Ingram‘s 41st start on the season, is a career high for starts in a single season.
Ingram has been a rock for the Coyotes when they needed him most, and with two of his last five starts being wins, including a shutout against the Detroit Red Wings, Ingram is playing to the tune of a 2.10 goals against average, with a .910 save percentage, both the best in his career.
The puck drops at 5 PM MST, 7 PM CST on Wednesday.
