‘Yotes Notes: Canucks, Devils still within reach in NHL standings

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Coyotes aren’t going to the playoffs, but there is still intrigue at the bottom of the NHL standings. Heading into their final two games of the regular season — both at home against Vancouver and Minnesota — the 29^th-place Coyotes trail the 28^th-place Canucks by a point and 27^th-place New Jersey Devils by two points.

Those are the only two teams the Coyotes could pass, impacting their draft order which will also be impacted by the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, who have been given the same odds at landing the top pick as the third-worst team in the standings.

In order to finish ahead of Vancouver, the Coyotes would need to have more points, since the Canucks own the first tiebreaker with 26 regular or overtime wins to the Coyotes’ 23 (Arizona can only get to 25). The Coyotes split the season series with New Jersey and could end up with the same ROW number (25) as the Devils with two wins and two New Jersey losses, bringing goal differential into play. The Coyotes would likely finish behind New Jersey in that category since their goal differential is minus-62 compared to minus-53 for New Jersey, so Arizona would also need to finish a point ahead of New Jersey to jump the Devils in the standings.

Letter to season ticket holders

The Coyotes sent a letter to season ticket holders this week, addressing the arena situation. Here is the text of that letter.

“On behalf of the entire Arizona Coyotes organization, I would like to thank you for your continued loyalty and unwavering support. We are very fortunate to have some of the most passionate hockey fans in the entire NHL right here in the Valley, and we truly appreciate your commitment to our team.

“Unfortunately, it’s been a disappointing season thus far. After a 22-point improvement last year, we had high expectations but we remain optimistic about our extremely bright future. This year was all about growth. Ten rookies have played games for the Coyotes this season including Christian Dvorak, Brendan Perlini, Lawson Crouse, Jakob Chychrun, Anthony DeAngelo, Christian Fischer, Tyler Gaudet, Laurent Dauphin, Dylan Strome and Clayton Keller. The playing time and experience these players received was essential to their continued development. All of these players made great strides this year and combined with our young core group of veterans led by Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Max Domi, Alex Goligoski, Jordan Martinook, Connor Murphy, and Tobias Rieder, they will form the foundation of our team for years to come. Building a championship team takes time and we remain confident that we are on the right track.

“We realize that it’s also been a frustrating season off the ice. We appreciate your patience on the arena front. We continue to use all available resources to pursue this win-win solution for the team, our great fans, and our corporate partners. We will continue to push our proposed public-private partnership until we achieve a long-term arena solution in a more economically viable location in the Valley. Thanks again for your continued support and being a part of our Pack.”

— Sincerely, Andrew Barroway Majority Owner, Chairman & Governor

Arizona Coyotes

DeAngelo’s hiccups

Rookie defenseman Anthony DeAngelo had a rough first period in Dallas on Tuesday. On the Stars’ first goal, it almost looked like DeAngelo was trying to feed Dallas’ Brett Ritchie in the Coyotes’ slot for a one-timer past goalie Mike Smith at 13:54. He was actually trying to feed Clayton Keller, but a pass through your own slot, and through traffic, is a play that defensemen learn early never to make.

Unfortunately for DeAngelo, he wasn’t done. He fanned on a clearing attempt about three minutes later, Jason Dickinson picked up the loose puck and buried it for a 2-0 lead that helped Dallas earn a 3-2, overtime win.

“He’s a young player,” coach Dave Tippett said. “There’s going to be mistakes like that with young players. You’ve just got to find ways to get over them. He’s a real competitive kid. He competed hard but some of those mistakes, he’s got to learn from them.”

Defensive zone play and play away from the puck are continued areas of focus for DeAngelo. While fans sometimes see DeAngelo’s offensive upside and little else, the coaching staff sees a significant need for improvement from DeAngelo in other areas. Those two plays were clear illustrations of his deficiencies.

Ray of light for Duclair

When the Coyotes elected to recall right winger Anthony Duclair from Tucson, it wasn’t necessarily because he had earned that recall. Duclair had just one goal and eight points in 16 games with the Roadrunners.

The Coyotes were hoping that a recall might provide Duclair with some momentum going into next season; momentum that might help him recapture the scoring touch that produced 20 goals last season as a rookie.

Duclair may be building it. He has goals in his last two games to bring his total five in 56 games.

“He’s got to have something positive come out of the year,” Tippett said. “One of the things he needs to bring to our team is some scoring, so it’s good to see him get on the board a couple times. Hopefully, he can continue that here; finish out the year strong.”

Injury update

Tippett listed captain Shane Doan and right winger Radim Vrbata as day-to-day with lower body injuries. Both missed Tuesday’s game in Dallas, but Tippett hopes both can play the final two home games, which could represent the final two games of Doan’s career.

Canucks at Coyotes

When: 7 p.m., Thursday

Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale

TV: FOX Sports Arizona-Plus

Radio: ESPN Phoenix 620 AM

Records: Canucks — 30-40-10. Coyotes — 29-41-10.

Season series: Vancouver leads, 3-1

Injury report: Coyotes — RWs Radim Vrbata (lower body) and Shane Doan (lower body) are day-to-day. C Brad Richardson (leg) is out for the season. Canucks — RW Derek Dorsett (clavicle), C Markus Granlund (wrist), RW Anton Rodin (knee) and D Erik Gudbranson (wrist) are on IR. LW Loui Eriksson (leg), RW Jack Skille (ankle), G Jacob Markstrom (knee), C Brendan Gaunce (undisclosed) and D Joseph Cramarossa (foot) are out.

Scouting the Canucks: Vancouver has lost five straight games to fall to 28^th in the NHL standings. … F Bo Horvat leads the team with 20 goals and 51 points. … Fs Daniel and Henrik Sedin are a combined minus-45.

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