‘Yotes Notes: Scoring struggles and the PK’s prowess

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Coyotes have scored seven goals during this six-game losing streak (0-5-1) and they have scored more than two goals just once in their last 10 games — a 5-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 2.

Entering play on Monday, they were 30th in the NHL in goals per game at 2.20, ahead of only the Buffalo Sabres (2.18).

“The players know how I feel,” coach Rick Tocchet said. “We’re a little too perimeter. We haven’t really got shots through from the point as much as I wanted the last 10 games. I think we’re getting a lot of shots blocked. Those two things add up to not scoring goals.

“We have to get through the box, we’ve got to stop up pucks in the corners and we’ve got to get some shots through from the point. That will increase your chances, which should help scoring.”

PK PROWESS

According to NHL.com, the Coyotes have the best penalty kill in the league since Oct. 31 (89.23 percent; 58-for-65 in 23 games). Last season, the Florida Panthers — the Coyotes’ opponent on Tuesday — finished second in the NHL in PK percentage at 85.3 percent.

The common denominator is assistant coach Scott Allen, whom the Coyotes hired this summer after he spent last season with Florida.

“It’s about the personnel buying into the details within our structure, and I love what our guys are doing right now,” said Allen, who preaches a more aggressive approach to penalty killing. “We’re aggressive with purpose. We don’t just run for the sake of running There are certain situations that have to happen for us to be aggressive. That’s where the teaching comes in.”

The Coyotes were near the bottom of the league in PK percentage over the first month of the season, but as they have learned Allen’s system, they have climbed to 13th overall at 82.1 percent. Allen won’t give away team secrets, but he did acknowledge that the unit alters its approach to fit opponents.

“Everything starts with our foundation,” he said. “And then we make necessary adjustments in regards to the style, the system, the personnel. We don’t just throw the same look every night at who we’re playing.”

Allen said he’s sensed complete buy-in from the players — and even their wives. At Sunday’s Coyotes Christmas party, Jordan Martinook’s wife, Courtney, approached him and was talking about the PK.

“I drove home last night and I felt great about that — that his wife was taking pride in it,” Allen said.

MERKLEY’S NHL DEBUT

Nick Merkley was skating on a line with center Christian Dvorak and left wing Zac Rinaldo on Monday. It appears he will make his NHL debut on Tuesday against the Panthers, although Tocchet said it would be a game-time decision.

RELATED: Merkley hoping for chance to make impact on Coyotes

The Coyotes recalled Merkley from Tucson of the American Hockey League on Sunday. Merkley is hoping his parents, Jeff and Tammy, will be able to fly in from Calgary to see the game. He also planned to send text messages to his brother, Jonathan, and a few friends.

“It’s something you dream of,” he said. “I’m just super excited — kind of at a loss for words.”

INJURY UPDATE

Rinaldo returned to practice on Monday after missing the past two games because he was sick. He is expected to play Tuesday.

“I don’t even know what it was. It sucked, though,” Rinaldo said. “I had no energy, sweats, chills, you name it. I didn’t puke. That was the only good thing, but it might have been better if I did because I would have gotten it all out.

“When you come back you have to work extra hard because you took a week off. Your body is in overdrive to fight off a sickness so when you step back into a work mode, you pile a practice on top of it and it’s just a little harder the first day.”

Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was sick and missed Monday’s practice, but Tocchet said he is probable to play Tuesday.

Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson remains out.

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Panthers at Coyotes

When: 7 p.m., Tuesday

Where: Gila River Arena

TV: FOX Sports Arizona

Radio: ESPN 620 AM

Records: Coyotes — 7-23-5. Panthers — 12-16-5.

Injury report: Coyotes — D Niklas Hjalmarsson (upper body) is day to day. Panthers — G Roberto Luongo (lower body) is out indefinitely.

Panthers scouting report: The Panthers feature three former Coyotes: forwards Radim Vrbata, Jamie McGinn and defenseman Keith Yandle. … Florida has lost three in a row (0-2-1) and is 2-4-3 in December. … F Vincent Trocheck leads the Panthers with 13 goals and 33 points in 33 games.

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