Through the first month of the season, the Ducks have been the best team in the NHL. The Coyotes, have been........disappointing. But, taking advantage of a team short their best player - Perry was out with the flu, the Coyotes picked up an improbable shoot-out victory.
About half-way through the first, the Coyotes found themselves down 2-0 and things looked bad. I shut off the volume on the TV and put on a record. I find it better than watching a road broadcast team talk about how many times they'll accidentally say "Phoenix" anyways.
With the first Smith's record on, and the game suddenly seeming more exciting for whatever reason, the Coyotes were able two score a couple quick goals - within a minute, during the second period.
This was the one minute the Coyotes really took it to the Ducks, for the other 59, it was pretty much the Mike Smith show. Much maligned for his early season play, Smith used the power of the Jedi to prevent Anaheim from scoring any more goals for the rest of the game.
He finished the night with 37 saves compared to Mr. Anderson's 23. In the shootout, Smith stopped 2 of 3 and both Sam Gagner and Boedker scored beautiful goals to win it for the Yotes.
For the surging Coyotes, it was their third win in a row, and the first time they beat Anaheim since the season before last. It is always a good feeling to beat one of your rivals, and despite the fact that Arizona really had no business winning this game, it's exactly what they needed. All year they've given up too many goals against, and though the goaltending has been better of late, I think this is the first time all year you can say Mike Smith stole a win, and that's something because if the team is going to challenge for a playoff spot, Smith has to be their MVP.
Tonight it is the Islanders in town for the rare home/road back-to-back.
Thanks for reading.