Coyotes’ Domingue making strong case for backup role next season

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Coyotes are using the final four weeks of the season to evaluate rookie Louis Domingue as a backup goaltender. They like what they’ve seen so far.

In two starts since Mike Smith’s return from abdominal surgery, Domingue has allowed two goals on 73 shots. Domingue stopped 37 of 38 Dallas shots and Martin Hanzal had a pair of goals, including his first shorthanded goal since Dec. 4, 2008, as the Coyotes beat the Stars, 3-1, on Thursday at Gila River Arena for their second win over Dallas in as many meetings.

After playing the most minutes of any NHL goaltender over a 38-game stretch from Dec. 17 to March 11 while Smith and Anders Lindback were both out with injuries, Domingue is adapting well to a different challenge.

“It’s definitely hard to do,” Coyotes goalie coach Jon Elkin said. “It’s much easier when you’re in the groove and playing every night. You make a mistake and you know you’re going right back in and not getting yanked.

“But one thing we have discovered about Louis is he’s very mentally tough. Whether he has to play as a first string and shoulder the load or as a back-up and still come in at the top of his game, he’s up to the task. I’m real confident about Louis being able to handle any scenario.”

Domingue was composed from start to finish on Thursday despite a steady stream of Stars shots, including a pair of tough saves on Jason Spezza early in the third period and 11 shots from Dallas defenseman Jon Klingberg.

“I love it when he just catches the puck and hands it back to the referee and (says) ‘let’s go again,'” coach Dave Tippett said. “I like that calm.”

Domingue said he never worried about the shift to part-time player, even though he still wants to play all the time.

“It’s harder to be in game shape mentally,” he said, “but I knew it was going to be beneficial for both of us (him and Mike Smith) to have breaks here and there and I think it shows right now.”

Elkin said there aren’t many holes in Domingue’s game.

“Efficient would be the best way to put it,” Elkin said.

Still, one of the benefits of Domingue moving to a backup role is that the two are getting some extended practice time.

“When I was playing a lot of games I had practice time but it wasn’t quality time as much as it is right now because I was tired,” Domingue said. “With the extra rest and more time to focus on things in practice, I feel dialed in and we played a solid team game tonight.”

There are only eight games left in the season, and Tippett expects to go back to Smith on Saturday against Calgary, so Domingue’s opportunities will be limited over the final two weeks of the season. With a couple more showings like this, however, it’s hard to imagine the Coyotes turning anywhere else for their No. 2 goalie next season.

“He got a great opportunity and he ran with it, but I’m happy that Louis realizes there’s work left to be done to become a consistent No. 1 in this league,” Elkin said. “He’s working hard to that end.”

Follow Craig Morgan on Twitter

Related

ASU-Hawaii resumes after 40-minute weather delay at halftimeSun Devils’ Cardae Mack scores out of wildcat package for 1st college touchdownASU football without starting center Tana Alo-Tupuola vs. HawaiiDevin Booker ruled out for Suns’ preseason game vs. Spurs‘We hurt too’: ASU hockey assistant coach says human element is forgotten in Mayich situationWhy the Cardinals are moving on from Marvin Harrison Jr.