The way the Coyotes started their 2017-18 campaign, it’s not hard to be surprised when observing an aura of optimism surrounding the team at the NHL All-Star break.
With injuries, a new coach and an extremely young roster, the Coyotes started the season poorly but recovered for a strong finish. The team entered the All-Star break having notched a point in five of its past six games and seven of nine.
Sure, there are no illusions of the Coyotes being a playoff team. But they’re no longer playing like a pushover.
Early struggles
To say the Coyotes struggled out of the gate would be an understatement.