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 With two 20-year-olds and a 22-year-old ranking among Arizona's top
four in points, the chemistry is forming early for the Coyotes, and
they are taking it in stride.
One of the 20-year-olds, left winger Anthony Duclair, recorded his
first career hat trick Wednesday, leading the Coyotes to a 4-0 win
over the Anaheim Ducks.
"It's very special," Duclair said of his first three-goal game.
"It's special to share it with these guys, but I give credit to my
linemates and my teammates, who are doing a great job creating space
for me."
The Ducks, meanwhile, have scored one goal in three games.
"It's frustrating," Anaheim center Ryan Kesler said after the Ducks
fell to 0-2-1. "We're as mad as anybody. It's not the type of effort
we want. If we think we're just going to come in on Friday and it's
magically going to happen, it's not. We need to put our work boots
on. That starts with will and passion."
Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith stopped 37 shots to earn his first
shutout of the season.
"It was nice to get the shutout, but more importantly, I like to see
the way we are playing in front of it," said Smith.
All of the scoring came in the first two periods.
Duclair, 20, completed his hat trick at 10:57 of the second period,
giving Arizona a four-goal lead. Acquired by the Coyotes from the
New York Rangers last season in exchange for defenseman Keith
Yandle, Duclair has points in all three games for the Coyotes
(3-0-0).
Center Martin Hanzal assisted on all three of Duclair's goals,
giving him six assists on the season.
"Marty is a real catalyst right now," Arizona coach Dave Tippett
said. "He is playing outstanding right now, and he is a real good
player."
Hanzal also has points in each game this season, and his six points
lead the team. Duclair is second with five points, and 20-year-old
center Max Domi and 22-year-old Tobias Rieder are tied for third
with four apiece.
When Tippett united the line of Duclair, Domi and Hanzal in training
camp, nobody could predict the instant chemistry that has led to a
combined total of five goals and 10 assists in three games.
"We didn't play one game together in preseason," Hanzal said. "It's
just kind of one those things and it clicked for us. Hopefully it
will last all season."
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The frustration for the Ducks came early and often in the first
period when Duclair scored his first two goals of the season in the
first 10 minutes. The first one came at 3:16 when Hanzal won the
faceoff and Duclair scored low to the stick side of Ducks goaltender
Anton Khudobin.
The second goal came at 9:55 on a rebound during a power play. Domi
took advantage of a takeaway in the neutral zone, skated all the way
down and put the puck on Khudobin's stick. Duclair scored on the
rebound to give the Coyotes an early 2-0 lead.
At 12:53 of the opening period, Domi added to the lead. Domi took a
drop pass in the circle to the left of the Ducks' net and beat
Khudobin with a backhand shot.
"(Left winger Mikkel) Boedker made the whole play happen," Domi
said. "He made the awesome drop pass, and I guessed and got really
lucky again, but I'll take it."
Frederik Andersen replaced Khudobin after Domi's goal. Khudobin
stopped just five of the eight shots he faced. Andersen finished
with 20 saves, allowing only Duclair's final goal.
"It's a pretty humbling game," Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler said.
"We're by no means where we need to be. Not just in execution, but
in our work ethic. That team came in here and won all the battles
and foot races."
NOTES: Arizona and Anaheim met for the first of five times this
season. ... Coming into Wednesday night, the Ducks earned points in
10 consecutive games against the Coyotes (8-0-2) and had an all-time
record of 65-32-18 against Arizona. ... G Anton Khudobin made his
first start for Anaheim. He was acquired from the Carolina
Hurricanes on June 27 in exchange for D James Wisniewski. ...
Scratches for the Coyotes were LW John Scott, C Joe Vitale and D
Stefan Elliott. The Ducks scratched D Clayton Stoner (lower-body
injury), RW Tim Jackman and C Chris Wagner.
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