Arizona Coyotes coach Dave Tippett looks to ‘shake up’ power play

Looking to avoid their fourth loss in a row when they take on the New York Rangers Thursday night, Coyotes coach Dave Tippett will shake up power play.

BY CHRIS COURTNEY

Oct 21, 2015, 4:16 PM Updated: 5:54 pm

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Arizona Coyotes coach Dave Tippett talks to his players during the first full day of NHL hockey training camp for the team, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

There’s plenty to be excited about and hopeful for when evaluating and digesting the alluring potential of the talent that resides on the Arizona Coyotes roster. Players such as forwards Anthony Duclair and Max Domi and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson represent a bright future, which translated to three straight wins to begin the season.

Of course, youth can be fickle, meaning that with the promise often comes pain and frustration. The ‘Yotes followed up three straight wins with three straight losses, perhaps signaling the kind of wild swings of inconsistency fans can expect out of this club this season.

Looking to avoid their fourth loss in a row when they take on the New York Rangers Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett told Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that he plans to tweak certain situational combinations on the ice.

Specifically, Tippett plans to change the way the Coyotes defend in power play situations, where they have surrendered a league-leading four short-handed goals.

“We’ve tried to push Mikkel Boedker into playing defense where Keith Yandle was [last season] and try to get him to work with Oliver, but I think we have to forgo that and put a couple defensemen in and see what Mike Stone can do,” Tippett said. “Our power play had worked so well with a left-hander there with Yandle, and we’ve tried to push that direction, but now it’s time to maybe change directions a little bit and put Boedker back up front and use another defenseman.”

In 29 power play opportunities this season, the Coyotes have scored only three goals, ranking Arizona 25th in the NHL with a power play percentage of 10.3. Thus far, Boedker has failed to play a meaningful role on either of the Coyotes power play goals.

“When your short-handed goals against are more than your power plays, then you’ve got to make some adjustments.”

According to Tippett, those adjustments will be effective immediately.

“We’ve had a good practice today and practiced a few different looks today, so hopefully we can bring that to the game tomorrow.”