Yotes Notes: Keller Heating Up & Maccelli Leading Rookies

The NHL is officially on notice: Clayton Keller is on fire.
Arizona's 24-year-old forward has seven points, including three goals, in his last five games, and has just three games this season in which he has not found the scoresheet with either a goal or an assist.
The former first-round draft pick (2016, 7th overall) has 17 points in 15 games to start the season, and recently recorded his 100th career goal in the Coyotes' 2-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 8.

It didn't take him long to score numbers 101 and 102, though, doing so in consecutive games against the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.
Both of those goals came on the power play, which the Coyotes have used to their advantage throughout the season.
Their play on special teams overall, in fact, has been strikingly improved since last season.
Consider this: As of Monday, Arizona currently ranks fourth in the league on its power play with a success rate of 29.63 percent, compared to last year's mark of 13.86 percent, which ranked 30th.
Rookie Matias Maccelli, whose 10 points and nine assists lead all NHL rookies this season, has had a huge hand in that success. Seven of those nine assists have come while the Coyotes were on the power play.
The 22-year-old rookie has exploded onto the scene this season, just one year after recording six points in 23 games. He's starting to look like a steal after Arizona drafted him in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Draft, and is quickly making a name for himself with his playmaking ability.
Any fans interested in watching the Coyotes practice in person can attend the team's open session at the Ice Den Scottsdale on Saturday. The team will be on the ice from 11:15 am - 12:15 pm, and there will be an opportunity to get photos and autographs with select players, as well. In addition, Howler's Kids Club members will have exclusive access to the first row of seats -- those interested
can sign up here
.
On to the Show!

The Week in Review

Tuesday, Nov. 8 | at Buffalo | 4-1 Win
STATS | THE WRAP
Just days removed from a win over the Capitals in Washington, the Coyotes earned their second straight victory with a 4-1 win over the Sabres. Keller scored his 100th career goal, while Lawson Crouse, Liam O'Brien and Maccelli also found the back of the net.
Vejmelka earned the win in the very place where he made his NHL debut a season earlier, making 26 stops in the victory. Perhaps the most impressive feat, though, was Arizona's ability to shut down one of the most potent offenses in the league. Buffalo had entered the game second in the league with 22 goals scored in the third period, but the Coyotes held them off the scoreboard in the final two frames to earn their fifth win of the season.

Thursday, Nov. 10 | at NY Islanders | 2-0 Win
STATS | THE WRAP
Arizona continued its east coast success with a win on Long Island, marking the team's third straight victory. Vejmelka earned his second career shutout while winning his fourth straight start - the first time in his career he's accomplished that.
Travis Boyd and Jack McBain scored for the Coyotes in a total team effort. Arizona outshot the Islanders 28-24 and blocked 17 shots.

Saturday, Nov. 12 | at New Jersey | 4-2 Loss
STATS | THE WRAP
The Coyotes' three-game winning streak was stopped by the red-hot New Jersey Devils, who earned their ninth straight win by defeating Arizona 4-2 at the Prudential Center. Dylan Guenther and Keller each scored power-play goals to help the team draw even two separate times, but the Devils used two unanswered third-period goals to leave with the win.
Arizona again played well on the power play, converting on two of its four opportunities.
Sunday, Nov. 13 | at NY Rangers | 4-1 Loss
STATS | THE WRAP
Keller scored in his second straight game and the Coyotes outshot the Rangers 17-4 in the first period, but the New York ultimately outlasted Arizona to win 4-1. Even with the loss, The Coyotes finished the east coast swing of their 14-game road trip 3-2-0, and returned home for a few days before heading to Vegas to face the Golden Knights on Thursday.

Down on the Farm

Tucson Roadrunners (6-3-1, 5th place, Pacific Division)

Team Leaders

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Atlanta Gladiators (5-3-0, 4th place, South Division)

Team Leaders

The Sweet Spot

Nov. 10: Travis Boyd redirects a perfect pass from Clayton Keller into the net against the Islanders to score a power-play goal.

Bear's Necessities

"We applied good pressure on the puck carrier, and they had a lot of shots where they missed the net. I would like to think it's because the guys were putting hard pressure on the puck carrier, and they were pressed to make plays." André Tourigny on the team's solid defensive play after shutting out the New York Islanders.

What to Watch For

Nov. 17 at Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas has been one of the league's biggest surprises this season, and at 13-3-0 currently leads the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights just lost for the first time in 10 games, and are led by forward Jack Eichel, whose 19 points and nine goals are the most on the team. The 26-year-old forward has 44 points in 50 games with Vegas.
The goalie tandem of Logan Thompson and former Coyotes netminder Adin Hill has been a force so far this season. Thompson and Hill each boast a goals-against average of 2.32, while their save percentages are .925 and .920, respectively.
The Golden Knights face the San Jose Sharks at home on Tuesday before hosting Arizona on Thursday.
TV: Bally Sports Arizona | Radio: ESPN 620 AM

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