The Arizona Coyotes came into their Wednesday night affair with the Edmonton Oilers reeling, having lost two consecutive games after playing incredibly inconsistent hockey.
Against the Calgary Flames on Monday, the team posted 15 shots in the first period, then followed that effort up with 2 in the second frame.
This happens all too often.
But the underlying problem with the team as a whole goes beyond inconsistency and penalty-taking. It has a lot to do with mismanaged lines and defensive pairings, extremely poor on-ice decision making, and atrocious special teams play.
For starters, the veterans have not been there.