Team chemistry playing major role for Arizona Coyotes during 14-game road trip
Lengthy road trips to start the season aren’t the most desirable for teams, but something can be said about the team bonding that comes with it.
The Arizona Coyotes (7-10-3) have spent 16 of its 20 games on the road while the finishing touches for the team’s annex are put together at Mullett Arena. As hard as life on the road can be, the early adversity has strengthened the team.
“I think what helps is the attitude of the players and the leadership who took charge of it,” Coyotes head coach André Tourigny said. “They did not sit back and wait for things to happen. They were proactive and they had fun together and took charge of it. I think right now we’re in a good spot.”
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A light is found at the end of the tunnel with the upcoming four-game road trip against Pacific Division teams that will end the ongoing 14-game marathon on the road. The Coyotes have found solace at home with the road trip split into three different sections.
“I think at this point we’re getting kind of used to it, but we’re home for a little bit,” Coyotes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere said. “It’s weird when you’re dropping the suitcase in the laundry room and you’re already taking the laundry and putting the clothes out of the dryer and into the suitcase again.”
Wednesday’s practice in Scottsdale before the team plays in Los Angeles on Thursday night featured a healthy lineup on the ice. Defenseman Josh Brown practiced after missing the last three games with an upper-body injury.
With a healthier lineup as of late, team chemistry has been trending in the right direction. It wasn’t easy coming in with a team that mixed newcomers with several team veterans, but the Coyotes have seen a mix of contributors in each game. In the last four games on the road, the Coyotes took points in three games.
"If people said we’d be where we’re at right now, I don’t think they’d believe us. For our team, our resiliency has been pretty good," Gostisbehere said.
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Some of the success can also be attributed to long stints on the road where the players aren’t off on their own when at home.
“When you’re on the road, you’re just with the guys,” Coyotes forward Dylan Guenther said. There’s no one else there, no other distractions. You’re just all at the same place. I think that helps a lot and it’s helped me.”
Guenther, a rookie, has appeared in 17 games with nine points. After earning his opportunity to stay in the NHL and use the first year of his entry-level contract, the 19-year-old has adjusted to the throes of life on the road in the NHL.
With more players available, he appeared in two games in the previous four-game road trip and posted two assists against the Carolina Hurricanes.
“I’ve been on the road, but it’s a lot different here,” Guenther said. “You’re getting in late and I think the biggest thing is that you’re playing again the next day. When I traveled in junior, you get a little bit of time off, and here it’s go go go. It’s been a good opportunity for me to jell with the guys.”
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com or 602-647-4122. Follow her on Twitter @jennarortiz.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Coyotes rely on team chemistry for 14 games on the road
