The Coyotes are now 10 games into the season. That's just a small sample size, sure, but there is much to like from an outset that has seen the team average north of three goals per game while maintaining its staunch defensive identity to allow the fewest of any team in the NHL thus far.
During the past week, which has sectioned off the first three games of the team's current four game road trip, a trip that comes to an end tonight in Buffalo, nine different players have scored a goal while a total of 14 have found the score sheet. That's incredible balance.
Some, such as the likes of Alex Goligoski and Clayton Keller, found their first goals of the season, while others, namely Christian Dvorak and Conor Garland, continued their early-season path to pace the team in scoring.
And of course, there's rookie Barrett Hayton, who shoveled home his first-career goal Friday in New Jersey, a goal that would eventually serve as the game-winner.
Both goaltenders earned winning decisions during the week;Darcy Kuempera 17-save overtime effort Tuesday night in New York andAntti Raantaa 32-save showing Friday night in New Jersey.
Thanks to hot starts at both the AHL and ECHL levels, the Coyotes organization currently has an overall record of 17-5-2-0. The Tucson Roadrunners are boasting a 6-1-0-0 mark, while the Rapid City Rush are sitting just fine with a 5-1-1-0 spread.
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
- Tuesday, October 22 at New York Rangers: W (3-2) F/OT -RECAP
- Thursday, October 24 at New York Islanders: L (4-2) -RECAP
- Friday, October 25 at New Jersey Devils: W (5-3) -RECAP
CURRENT RECORD
- 6-3-1 (13 Points; 5th-Place, Pacific Division)
THE WEEK AHEAD
- Monday, October 28 at Buffalo Sabres: 4:00 PM
- Wednesday, October 30 vs. Montreal Canadiens: 7:00 PM
- Saturday, November 2 vs. Colorado Avalanche: 6:00 PM
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PLAY OF THE WEEK
Savvy with his shot, and especially so early on this season,Christian Dvorakwent upstairs on Alexander Georgiev 1:04 into overtime on Tuesday night to clinch the Coyotes' 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
After collectingAlex Goligoski's drop pass from just inside the blue line and scanning his route to shoot, Dvorak took Artemi Panarin for a ride as he drove the Rangers' forward wide to the left, striding around Panarin's coverage with relative ease to create the room needed to establish a quality spot.[WATCH FULL]
Top right, all right.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
There is no single standout player from the past week, and that's a good thing. The Coyotes have been solid from top to bottom.
However, there is something to be said for the jolt Michael Grabner's provided with his two breakaway goals; two productive plays that showcased his dynamic speed, aggressive presence in the high defensive and neutral zones, and the ability to, of course, finish.
Both of Grabner's goals served as game-tying tallies at pivotal moments; both times he broke the Coyotes even after the team weathered immense pressure in the early stages of games.
First on Thursday night against the New York Islanders, breaking clear through the neutral zone to collect a pass off the boards before depositing a perfectly placed shot, and second on Friday night against the New Jersey Devils as he feasted on a bobbled puck to score shorthanded.
IN THE SYSTEM
HOT-HAND PEDERSON:Lane Pedersonis on an absolute tear in Tucson with the Roadrunners. The undrafted forward, signed to an entry-level contract in October of 2016, has scored eight goals in the team's first seven games, including a six-game goal streak and a hat trick on October 12 to help the Coyotes' American Hockey League affiliate jump out to a red-hot 6-1-0 start.
Pederson's 11 points (8G, 3A) tie him for the third highest total in the AHL; his eight goals rank second in the league. The 22-year-old led the Roadrunners in scoring last season with 47 points (23G, 24A).
SHOOTOUT SODERSTROM:Victor Soderstromscored in the second round of a shootouton Saturday night to help lift Brynas IF to a 3-2 win over Leksands IF. The 18-year-old defenseman also recorded an assist on the game-tying goal in the final minute of the second period.
The Coyotes' first round (#11 overall) selection from the 2019 NHL Draft has two assists in seven games since rejoining Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League, the top tier of ice hockey in Sweden.
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
A nostalgic fan holds a sign for Derek Stepan as the Coyotes' forward takes a lap during pre-game warm-ups Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, where he played seven seasons with the New York Rangers from 2010-11 to 2016-17. (Photo: Jared Silber / Getty Images)