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Coyotes Switch Up D Pairings and Look for 1st Win |
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The Coyotes have switched up their defense pairings, and after one game it seems to have worked.
The assumption that OEL and Hjallmarson would make a good pairing was predicated on HJallmarson being able to easily switch to the right side. That hasn't been the case as the Coyotes top pair has been brutal through five games and have been bleeding shot-attempts at an alarming rate.
Right-Handed shot Adam Clendenning is now going to get a shot up top with OEL. On the surface this might sound nuts, but Clendenning is one of those guys who's always put up good peripheral stats. He once put up 59 points in 74 games in the AHL, so he does have some offensive chops.
All he needs to do is be his usual steady self and OEL will take care of the rest. This could be the big break he's always needed.
On the second pairing, the Coyotes will go with Hjallmarson back in his customary left position, with Jason Demers on the right. That's a killer line.
On the third, it's going to be Goligoski and Luke Schenn. For a third pairing, that's top-notch.
The new pairings should finally allow the Coyotes to take advantage of having one of the best groups of defenseman in the NHL.
Unfortunately, the Coyotes have not recognized their biggest problem, which is that Brad Richardson and Tobias Reider are not very good. The secondary scoring will come, the goaltending will come, and the defense is too good not to be a huge advantage.
But as long as the bottom of the lineup is terrible, the Coyotes are giving away a huge advantage to whoever they play.
Tonight sees the Coyotes play the Bruins and that is a good chance for a victory, but Louis Domingue will unfortunately most likely be the goalie, as Raanta continues to recover from some kind of body injury.
10-4
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