When Darcy Kuemper emerged as a legitimate No. 1 goaltender last season, Coyotes President of Hockey Operation and General Manager John Chayka looked like a genius for having seemingly acquired Kuemper for pennies on the dollar.
But now, with both Kuemper and a competent No. 2 in Antti Raanta, Chayka and the Coyotes are looking even smarter given the stop-to-sprint, condensed nature of the expanded 24-team playoff format.
The Coyotes will play three games in four days against the Nashville Predators in a best-of-five series. With only one exhibition game (July 30 vs. Vegas Golden Knights) to prepare for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Coyotes will undoubtedly need both of their goaltenders to show up.