from Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic,

Their 31 goals against in eight games became the third-worst mark in the NHL after a season-high seven goals were let in Tuesday against the Lightning, but mix in a pair of six-goal games and the play that led to these routs is becoming more characteristic of the Coyotes than the defense-first identity they targeted in the offseason.

"They're certainly concerning," coach Dave Tippett said. "Our defending hasn't been near where it needs to be, and it's two-fold. We haven't defended well and gotten behind in games and then you chase games, and then you really look like a sloppy team. We've had too many games like that this year."

And that's perhaps the most perplexing development as the Coyotes tackle Game9 tonight against the Panthers: The principles that built this team haven't delivered. Character, chemistry and compete were the buzzwords that guided General Manager Don Maloney's summer renovation project, and all have been inconsistent.

"We're not anywhere good enough the way we're competing right now," Maloney said. "So we need to get better or things are going to change around here probably sooner rather than later."

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