Guesswork Goaltending
Sunday's loss to the Rangers marked the 4th consecutive loss for the Coyotes, bringing them to a miserable 1-4-0 record to start the season. There are a few pieces in play here to contribute to the Coyotes misfortune; the sheer amount of rookies playing in their first or second seasons means less experience than most teams in the league, coupled with one of the biggest sore spots in Coyotes hockey we've seen for a while now, goaltending.
Mike Smith and Louis Domingue are slated to be the number 1 and 2 goalies for the Coyotes respectively this season, but so far it looks like the AHL netminder Justin Peters is the most reliable goalie in the organization.
Smith won the first game of the season, the only Coyotes home game so far, in a 4-3 OT-final showdown with an explosive new Philadelphia Flyers team, stopping 27 of 30 shots. Things didn't get any better from there however, as Smith incurred a lower-body injury in the game after against Ottawa, and is now week-to-week as per the club.
Louis Domingue stepped in, as he did last year, to try and lead the team and give the Coyotes a solid backstop to give them some stability. But with a 5.03 goals-against average and a .851 save % after only 3 starts, fans are nervous. Is this Domingue's "Sophomore Slump"?
AHL affiliate Tucson Roadrunners starting goalie Justin Peters played just one game with the Coyotes this season, but his play was absolutely outstanding. After allowing four goals against the Canadiens on their massive road-trip to the east coast, Domingue was pulled for Peters, who instantly showed his experience in the NHL. In stopping 23/24 shots, Peters was also making some of the biggest saves I've seen in a Coyotes jersey since the 2012 Cup run.
With Peters playing so well, and highly touted goalie prospect Adin Hill, who also resides in the AHL (for now), both looking like better options than what we have right now, do we see Peters or even Hill get a crack at that NHL starting spot while Smith is injured? Can the Coyotes rally behind Domingue to give him his confidence back that brought him so much success last season? It's too early to throw Domingue under the bus, but it has to be on the coaching staff's minds.
The goalies aren't the only ones to blame for Arizona's poor play. Defensive mistakes and a bad break-out have contributed to tired lines and long shifts, avoidable turnovers and a poor all-around team game.
Coach Dave Tippett's Coyotes play from the net out, so that's where the improvement will have to begin if they want to bring this season back between the lines.
