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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) skates in his own zone during a National Hockey League game against the New York Islanders at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh) -
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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) battles for possession of the puck behind the net with New York Islanders center Matthew Barzal (13) during a National Hockey League game at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh) -
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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
Members of the Arizona Coyotes celebrate a first-period goal against the New York Islanders at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh) -
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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
Members of the Arizona Coyotes team and coaching staff look on during a National Hockey League game against the New York Islanders at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh) -
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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
New York Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho (28) skates away from Arizona Coyotes forward Christian Dvorak (18) during a National Hockey League game at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh) -
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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
New York Islanders goalkeeper Jaroslav Halak (41) stands in the crease during a National Hockey League game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh) -
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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
Arizona Coyotes forward Derek Stepan (21) tries to win a face-off against New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) during a National Hockey League game at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh) -
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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
Arizona Coyotes forward Derek Stepan (21) skates in center ice during a National Hockey League game against the New York Islanders at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh) -
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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
Arizona Coyotes goalkeeper Antti Raanta (32) covers the puck in traffic during a National Hockey League game against the New York Islanders at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh) -
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NHL: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes (01.22.18)
Members of the Arizona Coyotes celebrate their 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 22, 2018. (Photo by Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh)
– by Adesina O. Koiki
A Lot of Sports Talk editor-in-chief
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The first half of the season did not go in any way the Arizona Coyotes would have wanted it, but that doesn’t mean the importance of every win is diminished in any sort of way.
Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet expressed that sentiment immediately after his team came away with a 3-2 overtime victory over the New York Islanders at Gila River Arena on Monday, with Nick Cousins scoring the game-winning goal in the extra session.
This only marks the 12 win for the team this season in 48 games, but one can never tell which win may end up being the one that sparks a culture change in a rebuilding project.
“One thing we’ve got to do is we’ve got to expect to win,” Tocchet said after the game. “I hate hoping, I want expecting.”
The expectations to win this game came to fruition in the overtime after Coyotes goalkeeper Antti Raanta made a save which led to an odd-man rush for Arizona in the extra session. Cousins and Christian Fischer worked a perfect give-and-go, with Cousins skating towards the front of the net after giving a pass to Fischer, then finishing the game with a backhand off of Fischer’s pass to set off celebrations in Glendale.
“I think since we turned the page here in 2018, we have all four lines contributing,” said Cousins, who scored his first-ever overtime goal. “It’s been fun coming to the rink.”
Cousins had a goal and an assist in the game for the Coyotes, while Raanta had 32 saves. Anthony Beauvillier had both goals for the Islanders, including the game-tying goal early in the third period which eventually forced the extra session.
*Editor’s note: Above the byline and story is the photo gallery from Monday evening’s game, with all photos taken by photographer Sammantha-Maria Herbaugh. After clicking on the first photo to enlarge the picture, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures. There are 10 pictures in total.
