Garland Getting Comfortable on NHL Ice

GLENDALE --Conor Garland has played five NHL games now, and with forwards Vinnie Hinostroza and Michael Grabner still sidelined because of injuries, he'll be adding more games to his League resume over the next few weeks and perhaps beyond.
The Coyotes host the New York Islanders on Tuesday in the first game of a three-game homestand, and if Head Coach Rick Tocchet sticks with the lines he used at Monday's practice, Garland will skate as a winger on the top line with center Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller.

"One thing I like about him is he's really good second man on the puck," Tocchet said. "He's really done a nice job of getting in some battles and winning some battles and generating (chances). Those are the things that he has to continue to do. I've been really happy with him. He's starting to get some comfortability in his game."
Garland caught Tocchet's eye at training camp, but a hand injury hampered his bid to make the team. So, he started the season in Tucson, his third there, and was leading Arizona's American Hockey League team in points (19) at the time of his recall on Dec. 3. The consensus from within the team's player development department is that Garland was thriving in the AHL this season because he minimized his bad habits from junior hockey and became a more complete player. Simply stated, he started to play the right way, and that decision to do so has led him to the NHL, at least for now.
Garland is enjoying his first ride in the League. He's already played a home game. He's been on a four-game road trip. He helped the Coyotes win at Madison Square Garden for the first time in nearly 11 years. And he played in his beloved hometown of Boston.
"It's obviously a lot of fun to be in the NHL," Garland said. "It's what I worked my whole life for. I've been here for almost two weeks now and that's enabled me to get into some normalcy. It's been nice, but I'd like to have more wins. Having said that, it's been a great learning experience. I wasn't thrilled with my first game here, but since then I feel as if I've learned something new each night - little things, like just when to use my speed and when to not use it and save some energy."

Garland is averaging 13:08 of ice time in the NHL and has taken 14 shots on goals, including five vs. the New York Rangers. He's yet to produce a point, but he isn't discouraged.
"I've scored in every league I've played in, but this is the best league in the world so it's not going to come easy for most guys," Garland said. "I've just got to keep working at it. I've had some chances, and it was tough to miss a few of those, but I just have to keep creating chances. I don't really think about going out and scoring, I just think about going out and making chances for me or my linemates each shift. Eventually some will go in."
As for possibly playing with Schmaltz and Keller on Tuesday night, Garland is excited.
"They're two world-class players," Garland said. "Obviously Keller ripped up the League last year and Schmaltz has been a point-per-game player here. They're both terrific players and make a ton of plays. I'm just going to try to play the same way I was; be hard on the forecheck, track back, play fast, and just try to make plays when I can. Those guys produce points, night in and night out, so it will be nice to play with them."