Arizona preps for its series with Nashville
In normal cases, training camp may feel like the same basic skills over and over again, day in and day out. However, for the Coyotes heading into a play in series against one of the top teams in the Western Conference, training camp offers something new everyday.
After wiping off the cobwebs and getting back into the swing of things as a full team on Monday, coach Rick Tocchet focused his team’s efforts on his team’s ability to breakout the puck from their own zone and create scoring opportunities. Early on he continues to stand by his word that each practice will have a different theme.
“Today [Tuesday], we mapped out that we were going to work on our breakout and transition game,” Tocchet said. “We watched video today for about 15 minutes, discussed it and then practiced it. We’ll map
out each day like that.”
There’s an importance in getting an offense flowing in your own zone against any team, but Nashville’s aggressive style, which the Coyotes have experienced firsthand, heightens the importance of the skill even more. In their last meeting on Dec. 23 in Nashville, the Predators caught fire offensively early as they would score two goals on 33 shots by the midway point of the second period.
“They [Nashville] have a heavy forecheck and that’s why breakouts are important,” Tocchet said. “It’s five guys participating in the breakouts and we stress that the routes to get back quickly. I watched that game, and I didn’t think the shot chart was indicative of the game early, but that’s Nashville. They come out flying and put pressure on you right away.”
Having the Predators aggressive approach in mind, the Coyotes took the same route in making sure their players were ready for everything they will throw at them. Practice saw forwards and defensemen playing similar roles cycling through the breakout, playing with pressure, playing without pressure and even two man advantage situations.
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun said the cycle looked good for the first time it’s been run since March.
“I think there are somethings that we need to work on that will help us against Nashville and I think we were doing that today pretty well,” Chychrun said. “It’s a huge part of the game, especially for our team. When we’re breaking the puck out well, it’s usually when we’re playing our best.”
Chychrun, who is a part of the younger Coyotes core and has not seen playoff ice with his team, knows that Nashville brings an aggressive presences to the ice that will heighten even more in the postseason. The Predators are fifth in the NHL for most shots per game, averaging 33 shots a game over the season.
“Their defense is very aggressive and they take some risks,” Chychrun said. “They like to play a really high-risk, high-rewarding style. I think if we stick with our system, we’ll have a lot of chances offensively. It’s just a matter of execution.”
As a team that has been described as “not quiet, but not super loud” by forward Taylor Hall, being vocal is what Chychrun said will be key into having an efficient breakout against an aggressive team.
“When we’re communicating, we’re helping our teammates out and it makes the game a lot easier,” Chychrun said. “When we’re talking, we’re usually playing our best, moving back into the zone quick and supporting the play early. You got to work for your teammate in be in a good position for your teammate.”
Coyotes will get a taste of a different style of play before facing the Predators as they will face the Golden Knights on July 30 at 7 p.m. in a exhibition game. Vegas ranks in the top 10 in overall goals scored this season and has the ninth best power play in the league, something the Coyotes will be working on in practice on Wednesday.
A large number of exhibition games feature rivalry matchups similar to the Arizona-Vegas game, including Montreal-Toronto, Philadelphia-Pittsburgh and Florida-Tampa Bay, among others.
When the postseason begins in earnest, the Coyotes will open their series against the Predators on August 2 at 11 a.m. Arizona time. Game 2 will follow on August 4 at 11:30 a.m. and Game 3 is set for the following day, August 5, at 11:30 a.m. All other dates and times for the series are to be determined.
Broadcast information for the exhibition matchups and qualifying games will be released in the coming days, per the NHL.