Pair of talented blue-liners square off in Arizona
Arizona’s Oliver EkmanLarsson and Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot both serve as offensive catalysts on the blue-line, both on the power play and in even-strength situations. Ekman-Larsson is leading the Coyotes with an average of 23:27 of ice time per game, while Chabot checks in at 22:06.
Chabot, who had two assists in Sunday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Vegas, is tied for third in scoring among NHL defencemen. Here are five things to watch for when the Coyotes host Ottawa on Tuesday: Addressing the penalties: The Senators are spending far too much time in the penalty box, a problem because they ’ve allowed at least one power-play goal in five consecutive games. Responding to the goaltending change: With Mike Condon expected to make only his second start of the season, it could take him some time to find his groove, meaning it’s paramount the Senators limit the early opportunities. Involve the entire lineup: Part of the reason the Senators have faded in recent games is coach Guy Boucher has used a short bench, meaning top players are overtaxed as the game progresses.
Zone time: In the opening two games of the road trip, the Senators have been hemmed inside their blue-line far too long. Vegas had 97 shot attempts Sunday (53 shots, 15 missed shots and 29 Senators blocks). Offence from the defence:
Chabot continues to shine offensively, having picked up at least a point in nine of the first 10 games. He’s a big reason the power play continues to roll.
Winnipeg ’s Patrik Laine has gone five games without scoring a goal or recording a point and is still searching for his first marker at even strength this season.
But the man who watched the Jets sniper blossom into a pure goal scorer isn’t the least bit concerned.
“Now, he has a bit of a problem, but I’m not worried about it,” said Marko Ojanen, an assistant coach with Tappara Tampere when Laine played there. “He’s working hard every day and I know that it’s coming. Sooner or later.” Although Laine is slightly behind last season’s pace, when he had only five goals and seven points through 12 games, the third-year forward has 44 shots on goal and 70 shot attempts as he’s collected three goals and five points.
The biggest difference is his shooting percentage is 6.8 per cent, compared with 17.6 per cent as a rookie and 18.3 per cent last season.
Given how lethal his shot can be, a prolonged drought seems unlikely. Laine’s teammates are keeping a close eye on him and Ojanen will be among those inside Hartwall Arena in Helsinki on Thursday when the Jets battle the Florida Panthers as part of the 2018 NHL Global Series.