The Coyotes began the post Vermette/Yandle/Michalek era last night with a resounding thud typical of their recent performance.
They lost with those guys, they will lose without them, it all makes very little difference.
The game was the tenth loss in a row. The team hasn't won since February 9th when they beat Chicago in a shootout. The team hasn't won in regulation since they beat the Blue Jackets on February 3rd.
Yikes.
Last night, the team made the unfortunate and strange decision to sit out prized prospect, the rookie defenseman Brandon Gormley. Hopefully they will send him down to Portland if they have no plans to play him. For now, I assume the decision was made so that the team could ice at least one blue-liner over the age of 24 - Andrew Campbell, who hasn't been too bad as a bottom pairing guy on a terrible team. From what I can tell, he's OK. Still, you'd at least like to see one of the team's top prospects playing if you have to sit through ten straight losses.
The Coyotes essentially used Mark Arcobello as their #1 centre last night, deploying him for almost 19 minutes. Stop for a second and remember that Arcobello is on his fourth team this season.
Oh man.
Still, considering the team is down Vermette, Yandle, Michalek, Boedker and Hanzal, I guess 4-1 isn't the worst result against a team like the Ducks. The most you can say is that under difficult circumstances, they showed up.
The tenth straight loss is a franchise record. Shane Doan got in a fight against Corey Perry and Mike Smith also played, though maybe giving the guy the rest of the year off would be merciful at this point.
All in all, it was interesting to see a team that looks nothing like the one that started the year but it was a lot like watching a giant mountain lion play with the lifeless carcuss of a small bunny.
Next up, Canucks tomorrow night. The good times never stop.