Coyotes seeing deja Blues, scheduled 7 games in a row vs. St. Louis

If you ever experienced the sensation of deja vu, you might know how the Arizona Coyotes are feeling.

The Coyotes and St. Louis Blues are scheduled to play each other seven times in a row, with a three game set scheduled this week in Glendale after playing four times in a row in St. Louis.

Can you say, deja Blues?

“I asked the players at the beginning of the year with this COVID, you have to be flexible,” head coach Rick Tocchet told the media on Wednesday.

“You look at it, it is a playoff series, per say.”

With the playoffs on their minds, the Coyotes have climbed back into a playoff position.

Arizona earned six of the eight possible points on the road trip, climbing back to fourth place in the West Division in the process.

They are now just four points behind the first place Vegas Golden Knights.

Tocchet believes having an even keel has helped the team find success on the road.

“If you can dial it down, I think it helps you motivational wise. I think it helps your energy,” Tocchet said.

The series has brought out some physicality in both teams as two fights have popped up in the first four matchups.

“The intensity is a lot more when you play a team more often and things don’t go your way,” Tocchet said.

“The team that loses the first game, what happens the second game? The other team is on high alert and they come out even angrier.”

Both teams have had to adjust after Covid complications forced Arizona’s games against Minnesota and Colorado to be rescheduled.

The Blues have had to reschedule games against Minnesota, Colorado and San Jose.

Tocchet knows the team has to stay ready for any challenge that might pop up as the season progresses to have a chance at the playoffs.

“Whether its playing a team seven times in a row, or I’m sure were going to get back dated at the end of the year.

“You just gotta be flexible,” the coach said.

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