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Arizona Coyotes Seek Redemption at Xcel Energy Center Against Minnesota Wild

As the Arizona Coyotes prepare to face off against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center, fans are eager to see if their team can turn around a recent string of challenging performances. The upcoming game, scheduled for March 13th, will be a true test of resilience and strategy for the Coyotes.


Jan 13, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck as Arizona Coyotes defenseman J.J. Moser (90) defends during the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Analyzing past games reveals that Arizona has been struggling with consistency. In their last three matches, they've experienced both highs and lows. A notable victory came against Ottawa Senators with an impressive 5-3 win where they showcased a strong offensive front by netting five goals from thirty shots and converting two out of four powerplay opportunities. However, this success was not mirrored in subsequent games.


The encounter with Toronto Maple Leafs saw the Coyotes fall short in a 2-4 loss despite putting up forty-six hits and blocking twenty-seven shots – indicators of their physical presence on ice but also highlighting potential issues in converting defensive plays into scoring opportunities. Their shooting percentage took a dip to six percent compared to seventeen percent against Ottawa.


Jan 13, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) passes as Arizona Coyotes center Alexander Kerfoot (15) during the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Continuing this trend was another defeat at the hands of Montreal Canadiens where Arizona managed only two goals from thirty-eight shots reflecting a mere five percent shooting accuracy. They also struggled in faceoff wins at forty-three percent which could have contributed to fewer control plays leading up to goal attempts.


Despite these setbacks, there are positives for Arizona fans to hold onto; goaltending has remained relatively solid with save percentages consistently hitting or nearing one hundred percent across all three games. This defensive reliability will be crucial as they go up against Minnesota's home advantage.


Jan 13, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram (39) makes a save against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The venue may play its part too; playing away can add pressure but also galvanize teams to rally together. With ESPN+, BSN, BSWIX, and SCRIPPS broadcasting the game live on various networks including internet and TV platforms – fans won't miss any action whether cheering from home or within Xcel Energy Center's charged atmosphere.


In conclusion, while recent trends suggest challenges ahead for Arizona Coyotes especially in terms of offensive execution and faceoff dominance – there remains an opportunity for them to leverage their strong goaltending performance as they seek redemption on enemy ice come March 13th.

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