The Shootout: Have the Arizona Coyotes found the key to winning?

Have the Arizona Coyotes finally found a key to consistency and winning games?

Head coach Dave Tippett has stopped altering his defensive pairings (or at least reducing how much he moves them) over the last few games and it seems to be working in his team’s favor. The defense looks a touch more solid, almost like they’re getting used to each other.

A big factor behind that is both Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Zbynek Michalek playing at a high level. OEL is the biggest contributor. He’s been tossing his weight around and flexing his muscles. It doesn’t seem like a lot of forwards are ready for him.

Could the consistency lead to better play for Mike Smith? It’s possible and Tippett has always said the Coyotes win if Smith plays well.

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