The Arizona Coyotes started their seven-game homestand against the Seattle Kraken, who came into the match losing six of their past games. While hoping to get their fans excited early and try to regain momentum after an ugly game against the Dallas Stars, it took the team until the final two minutes in the third period to score. Despite the lengthy time without a goal, the Coyotes managed to pull together a win to start their long stretch at Mullett Arena on a high note. Here are some takeaways from Friday’s 2-1 victory.
Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley Are the Future
Dylan Guenther wasn’t supposed to be here. When former forward Jason Zucker got suspended at the beginning of the year, general manager Bill Armstrong rewarded Guenther with a call-up to the NHL but with a warning that it’s only temporary. However, the forward made sure that Armstrong would take back his words by scoring in the first two games he played in. He was eventually placed on a line with Logan Cooley, and they formed an instant connection.
Fast-forward to the last month of the season, and the two are winning games for the Coyotes. They were remarkable out on the ice together and have been the best players for the team for a while now. It was their strong connection that got Guenther on a breakaway to win the game in overtime for the Coyotes.
“We sit together (in the locker room), we sit on the plane together, we spend a lot of time together so that helps,” Guenther said. “I think when you are friends with someone off the ice, it helps your on-ice chemistry. Our skill sets and games complement each other well, so I think it’s just gonna keep going up from here.”
Cooley has had a mixed season during his first year in the NHL. However, ever since Guenther was added to his line, he’s elevated his game and has looked like the strong rookie everyone was excited for to begin the season. It is similar to his Minnesota days when he had a special bond with Jimmy Snuggerud.
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It’s good to see the youth meshing well with each other so early in the Coyotes’ stage of getting out of their rebuild. Guenther seems to have chemistry everywhere he goes in the organization, like down in Tucson with Josh Doan. He’ll be a player head coach Andre Tourigny will be able to put anywhere in the lineup once the team starts getting more competitive, which is great for the coach, the team, and the player.
Cooley can’t help…
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