Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

When goaltender Louis Domingue reported for Coyotes training camp, he arrived with a title that he had been unable to capture in previous preseason auditions.

Arizona's backup.

The 24-year-old locked up the role with his performance last season, emerging as a capable option for the Coyotes once injuries removed the two netminders ahead of him on the depth chart.

But job security doesn’t seem to have made Domingue comfortable.

“It’s going to be even harder for me than the years before,” he said.

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And that’s because after signing a two-year, one-way $2.1 million contract, Domingue is eager to prove to the Coyotes that he is worth the commitment.

“The organization recognized the effort I was putting in, and I just felt like they had a lot of trust behind the move,” he said. “It was great. I felt relieved. At the same time, I felt like I needed to solidify the move they made.”

Domingue, who started Monday’s preseason game against the Canucks in Vancouver, opened last season in the minors but was ushered to the NHL in December once No. 1 Mike Smith was sent to the operating table to repair a core muscle injury. Then-backup Anders Lindback assumed the starting gig with Domingue taking on the No. 2 duties; after only three games, the responsibilities flipped and Domingue was poised to take the bulk of the minutes.

Once Lindback suffered a season-ending Achilles' tendon injury Feb. 15, Domingue’s workload increased – Domingue at one point made 11 consecutive starts – but he certainly didn’t look out of place.

Not only did Domingue go 7-0-3 in his first 10 starts, but his 15 wins were the most by a rookie goalie since the franchise relocated to Arizona.

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“I just naturally slow games down, and that’s what No. 1 goalies do in this league,” Domingue said. “That’s what I noticed, and that’s what I try to apply to my game – break down the game as much as you can. Just by making the small, detailed saves, your team builds confidence and it could be the difference between going into the last few minutes with a one-goal lead or chasing a one-goal lead.”

This approach remains key for Domingue as he shifts to the understudy role with Smith healthy, and, with playing time so sporadic, that mind-set can coexist with the determination to play well.

“The fact that he seems calm and poised does not mean he’s not intense and motivated,” goalie coach Jon Elkin said. “I think it’s a fine line. If one can have poise with urgency, that’s the best scenario. I think he understands it’s touch-and-go in this league. He has to keep performing.”

A workmanlike attitude has been clear in training camp; Domingue was strong in making 20 saves in barely 26 minutes in his preseason debut last Monday when he replaced Smith late in the second period.

Against the Sharks Friday, he turned in a 33-save effort.

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“He’s been solid,” General Manager John Chayka said. “It looked like he had a good summer and came in in good shape. … I expect him to take that next step. Louis’ got the talent to do it. It’s now doing it.”

Domingue’s performance this season could reveal his potential with the franchise and whether it has a starter in the making or someone more suited for spot appearances.

But Domingue’s focus is on the present and doing what it takes to merit opportunity.

That strategy has worked for him before, getting him to this point in his career, and he has faith it can benefit him again.

“Being a 24-year-old goalie in this league is an honor,” Domingue said. “Not every goalie gets up here this fast. I’m taking it one day at a time, and it happened to me. Putting in the work and not looking too far ahead, it worked out. I’m here now, so I’m going to keep pushing the same way.”

Coyotes top Canucks in preseason

The Coyotes opened a two-game road trip in Vancouver on Monday with a 4-2 preseason win over the Canucks.

Three of Arizona’s goals came on the power play; defenseman Anthony DeAngelo capitalized on the team’s first man advantage with a backdoor tap-in at 2:32 of the first period.

Vancouver tied it with its own power-play goal from center Markus Granlund at 6:10, but the Coyotes carried a 2-1 lead into intermission after a breakaway goal from winger Anthony Duclair at 18:09 that sent him crashing into goalie Jacob Markstrom after the puck slid over the goal line.

In the second, defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson made it 3-1 with a slap shot on the power play at 5:45. The Canucks moved within 1 at 11:42 on a rush up the ice from defenseman Ben Hutton, but captain Shane Doan snuffed out the Canucks’ comeback bid at 13:54 with a redirect in front on the power play.

Goalie Louis Domingue, who played the first two periods, made 22 saves, while Justin Peters stopped all eight shots he faced.

Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.