Although the Coyotes were able to wrestle a point from the Edmonton Oilers in a game decided by a shootout on Sunday evening, their initial 60-minute play left something, or some things, to be desired.
The Coyotes began the first period with some recognizable, coordinated play via their 5-man zone entries, but it didn’t take them long to have to chase the game following the James Neal power play goal 2:05 into the period. The ‘Yotes eventually got their skates beneath them and were competitive, on and off, throughout the remainder of the game.
Their was inconsistent and sloppy play by both teams, but when your side has players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and James Neal on the ice for extended periods of time, that particular team has quite the advantage.