It's been close to three years since the Arizona Coyotes learned they were moving to the NHL's Central Division this season. They got a preview of what that would be like last season, facing the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild in the temporary West Division.
If Wednesday night was any indication, a lot of teams in the Central could prove to be a gauntlet for the Coyotes, after only two divisional games. Arizona lost 5-2 to the Wild, a team with many of the same players that won seven of eight games against the Coyotes last season.