Arizona Coyotes dumped by Nashville Predators in Zbynek Michalek’s return

NASHVILLE – Hockey was still hockey.

When the puck dropped, defenseman Zbynek Michalek wanted to do his best and help his team.

That didn’t change.

What was different, though, was the backdrop.

On the heels of 11 consecutive seasons in the NHL, Michalek was starring in the minors with the Tucson Roadrunners after getting trimmed from the Coyotes’ roster as a veteran late in his career.

He missed the fans, crowded buildings and the ability to compete at the sport’s highest level until, eventually, he didn’t have to miss them anymore.

“I couldn’t be any happier, and I just want to enjoy it,” he said. “Who knows how many games I’ve got, so I just want to enjoy every single one.”

Michalek was recalled from the American Hockey League on Sunday to add depth to the Coyotes’ blue line and immediately made his season debut, skating in a 3-1 loss to the Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Monday that mathematically eliminated the Coyotes from playoff contention at the outset of a five-game road trip.

BOX SCORE: Predators 3, Coyotes 1

A clearing attempt by center Christian Dvorak banked off winger Viktor Arvidsson and over goalie Mike Smith five minutes into the second period. The Predators added their second with 3:16 to go in the period on a blistering one-timer from defenseman Ryan Ellis, who scored another one-timer at 6:35 of the third. Later in the period, defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson converted on the power play to snap the team’s scoreless skid at 123:35. Arizona went 1-for-2 with the man advantage, while Nashville was 0-for-1.

Goalie Pekka Rinne posted 25 saves, while Smith had 28 stops.

As for Michalek, the 34-year-old logged 15:55, filling out a third pairing next to rookie Jakob Chychrun – who’s 16 years his junior – and looking like the player he always has been with the Coyotes. He manned the penalty kill, blocked shots (three to be exact) and – quite simply – worked.

He was told after Saturday’s Roadrunners game he was being summoned to the NHL, and the news surprised him.

Assigned to the AHL in October, Michalek had spent his entire season to date with Tucson after falling down the depth chart during training camp. The demotion was disappointing, and Michalek acknowledged it was tough for him to find motivation, but in time, his outlook improved.

“I just don’t pack it in and give up,” he said. “That’s just not my nature. That’s not who I am. I just put my head down and worked hard and worked to do my best to help the team and help the young guys in the organization and in Tucson and help the coaching staff down there. Just play my game hard and lead by example.”

COYOTES XTRA APP: iTunes | Android

Michalek said he had no hard feelings regarding the team’s decision to send him to the minors, and while this return to the NHL is meaningful, he’s doesn’t think it will impact the decision he has to make about his playing future.

Once the season ends, Michalek plans to discuss his options with his wife Helena and his agent, and retirement from the NHL is a possibility.

“This could be it for me, especially in this league,” he said. “Most likely it is. That’s why it’s special to have this opportunity to maybe finish it with this team and this organization. This feels right.”

Of the 782 regular-season games he’s appeared in, 610 have been with the Coyotes, with this Michalek’s third stint and 10th season. Only captain Shane Doan has played more games with the franchise in Arizona than Michalek.

“In my heart it feels right if this is it for me to finish it here wearing this jersey,” he said.

The present, though, is where Michalek’s focus is at now.

His children, 7-year-old Andreas and 4-year-old Ella, will be able to watch him on TV, which they missed doing.

And Michalek will once again experience what it’s like to be an NHLer and the pride that comes with donning a jersey – a feeling he’s going to bask in while he’s with the Coyotes.

“This might be the last few games I get to play,” he said. “If this is the finish line, I just want to enjoy it and have the best time.”

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.

Tuesday’s game

Coyotes at Lightning

When: 4:30 p.m.

Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Fla.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Arizona-Plus/KTAR-AM (620).

Lightning update: The Lightning have been idle since Saturday, when the team fell 5-3 to the Capitals, their second straight loss. Overall, Tampa Bay has gone 6-3-1 in its last 10 games. With 11 games left in the regular season, the group remains in contention for a playoff spot. Winger Nikita Kucherov paces the offense with 33 goals and 71 points. Captain Steven Stamkos remains sidelined after knee surgery in November. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is 17-15-6 with a .916 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average.