It’s early, but the Arizona Coyotes look more like a tank than a team that’s going to do any tanking.
Improved play from embattled goalie Mike Smith has certainly played a role in this early turnaround. Still, the team’s young guns are the more exhilarating end of that surge, and they really are leaving the allegedly mighty Anaheim Ducks huffing and puffing tonight.
After booting Anton Khudobin from the Ducks’ net, Anthony Duclair completed his first career hat trick against Frederik Andersen to give Arizona a 4-0 lead (and eventual win.)
Duclair - “The Duke” - grabs the headlines ...
THE DUKE!! 🎩🎩🎩
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) October 15, 2015
THE DUKE!! 👒👒👒
THE DUKE!! 👑👑👑
... Yet Max Domi has been a big part of the strong start, too. Domi scored a goal and did most of the work on Duclair’s second tally, for instance.
The book on the Coyotes was supposed to be that, for as bleak as the present may be, the future looks bright. Maybe their fans won’t need to wait.
Update: The Coyotes ended up holding on for a 4-0 shutout win. Should we enter the Ducks into the “surprisingly bad start” club, then?