Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet met with the media two hours prior to Friday’s game to deliver news that the organization had been waiting almost three weeks to share — that goaltender Antti Raanta would return to action for Friday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.
But, as he discussed the advantages of Raanta’s return, Tocchet issued an ominous warning that would ring eerily true in the Coyotes’ lopsided 5-1 loss to the Avalanche.
“‘Raants’ (Raanta) can’t do it alone,” Tocchet said before the game. “We have to play well. We have to play smart hockey. … As much as you want your goaltending (to be set), it’s about the five-man units.