Antoine Vermette allowed himself a sliver of satisfaction when asked about playing his former team, although replays belie his modesty.
There was the grin on his face upon his second-period goal, a bomb of a slap shot that seemed to unleash some pent-up energy. Was there extra motivation against the Arizona Coyotes?
“A little bit,” Vermette said.
He then steered attention away from himself, as is his personality. Generous focus on Vermette is appropriate, though, because he’s been a quiet, movable beast with the Ducks.
His two-point game Friday was his first regular-season game against the Coyotes since Arizona bought out his contract last season in a shift in philosophy to go younger.