ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes GM John Chayka glad team comes home after a brutal road stretch

Dec 13, 2017, 11:03 AM | Updated: 12:21 pm

http://arizonasports.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/chakya2-1.jp...

http://arizonasports.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/chakya2-1.jp

LISTEN: John Chayka, Coyotes GM

The Arizona Coyotes have played 21 of their first 33 games on the road this season and GM John Chayka was more than happy his team will return to Gila River Arena for a five-game home stand starting Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I’m not one to complain but when you see the stat that it’s been the worst road schedule in the history of the NHL, it certainly means something,” Chayka said when he joined Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

For comparison, the Islanders have the second most road games to start the 2017-18 season with 18 through their first 30 games.

The schedule for the Coyotes doesn’t get easier by any means. Four of the five teams the Coyotes face during the home stand have already eclipsed the 30-point mark this season including league-leading Tampa Bay and the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Arizona is excited to finally have some practice time.

“Practice time will really help our coaching staff continue to teach and implement what we are trying to do here,” said Chayka.

Practice can especially help on special teams. The Coyotes ranked 14th in the league on the penalty kill but the power play was a lowly 24th.

“Power play take a lot of reps and a lot of practice. Our power play has actually been good when we’ve had some practice and it’s had some stretches where it struggled. We kind of want to bottle those stretches where we’ve had success,” Chayka said.

“I’m hopeful that we just find that consistency and find ways to close out games.”

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Clayton Keller becomes 2nd Coyotes player with 400 points in win over Devils

Karel Vejmelka stopped 37 shots and the Arizona Coyotes beat the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

2 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Logan Cooley, right, is greeted by defenseman Travis Dermott (33) after scor...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes beat struggling Detroit Red Wings again

Logan Cooley had a short-handed goal in the first period, Michael Carcone broke a tie in the second and the Coyotes beat the Red Wings 4-1.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes CEO and president Xavier Gutierrez...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes cleared to bid on north Phoenix land for new arena

The Arizona Coyotes have the green light to bid on a tract of land in north Phoenix in their yearslong bid to build a new arena.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Josh Brown, left, and Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi (23) compete for...

Associated Press

Penalty kill falters again, Coyotes lose to the Minnesota Wild

Nick Bjugstad had another goal against his hometown team but the Coyotes penalty kill couldn't contain the Minnesota Wild in a road loss.

6 days ago

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Clayton Keller scores twice in loss to Blackhawks, Colin Blackwell delivers hat trick

Colin Blackwell got his first hat trick and Connor Bedard had two goals, leading the Blackhawks to a victory over the Coyotes.

8 days ago

Dylan Guenther #11 of the Arizona Coyotes warms up before the NHL game against the Boston Bruins at...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther has water turned off after he doesn’t pay utility bill

Arizona Coyotes' Dylan Guenther and teammate Jack McBain had their water turned off this week after they did not pay their utility bill.

9 days ago

Coyotes GM John Chayka glad team comes home after a brutal road stretch