Coyotes Look to Forget, Forge Ahead

Arizona will enact its 'short memory' mantra following Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Nashville.
It was only one game. Forget it and look ahead.
"We'll move by this (game) in about two minutes," head coach Rick Tocchet stressed.
The Coyotes face a short turnaround. Game 3 is less than 24 hours away; the series is now tied, 1-1.

The Coyotes fell behind 2-0 after the first period despite dictating play those first 20 minutes. Arizona out-shot Nashville, 14-5, but the Predators twice found the back of the net.
"I really liked our first (period)," said Tocchet. "I think (Nashville) only had three or four shots, a couple of seeing-eye shots. They were just kind of lucky bounce goals."
Oliver Ekman-Larsson was pleased with the Coyotes' opening period, but felt the team had trouble developing much rhythm thereafter.
"We couldn't really get it going after that," he said. "I felt like we started turning pucks over and we weren't stopping on pucks. When we get away from our game plan, we're not very good."
The Predators blocked as many shots -- 21 -- as the Coyotes were able to put on net.
"They were in the shooting lanes," Ekman-Larsson said. "It was kind of hard for us to get pucks to the net, and that was probably the biggest thing that they did. We couldn't really generate anything from that. We're going to have to find ways to get the puck to the net. When we can do that, we'll be a much better team. Hopefully we can clean that up for tomorrow."

Tocchet felt the Coyotes were forcing shots instead of being creative.
"That's where creativity, patience, and things like that have to come into play," he said. "We got a little antsy, and that's when you start pounding shots into guys' pads. We started to open up a little bit (late in the game) with our concepts. You've got to give Nashville credit, they clogged the middle, and the defensive zone. They do a good job there."
Nashville added to its early 2-0- lead in the second period and late in the third.
The Coyotes scored twice in the final minute to get to within two, but it was too little, too late. Clayton Keller scored with a deke through the five-hole after slipping behind coverage; Lawson Crouse connected with a wrist shot from the slot nine seconds later.

"I liked us getting those two goals at the end," Tocchet said. "That helps us a little bit confidence-wise. But like I said, this game is over for me."
Antti Raanta left the Coyotes bench late in the second period and was determined "unfit to play." Adin Hill replaced Raanta as back-up Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper played the entire game and made 24 saves on 28 shots.
"We believe in Kuemps," said Ekman-Larsson. "We know he's a good goalie. We've got to play better in front of him."
Despite the back-to-back scenario for Game 3, scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, Kuemper is expected to get the start.
"He was fine," Tocchet said of Kuemper. "A couple fluky goals -- they're just two fluky goals. Kuemps is fine. He's settled in. He's fine. He's definitely our rock."
Tocchet will meet Tuesday night with his staff to finalize the lineup and systems strategies.
"We'll tweak a couple things, don't get me wrong," he said. "You have to get a good meal in and a good night's rest for your energy tomorrow. Things change so much (in 24 hours). You win a game, everybody thinks you're great; you lose a game, everybody thinks you stink. That's just the way the playoffs are."
Keller agreed that getting right back into game action after Tuesday's result is a good thing. "Definitely," he said.
"Coach said, after the game, 'In the playoffs, you've got to have a short memory, whether you win or lose.' I think that's going to be important. I think it was a lot closer than a 4-2 game. If we play like we did at the end of the game, there, we'll get good results."

Lead Photo Credit: Jeff Vinnick - NHLI via Getty Images // Footer Photo Credit: Dave Sandford - NHLI via Getty Images