Rick Tocchet scored 440 goals during his NHL career -- netting a career-high 48 for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992-93. But opponents probably don't remember his scoring as much as they remember his competitiveness and grit.

Tocchet was 210 pounds of belligerence. He was relentless and always convinced his team could still win.

Now 17 years after his retirement, coach Tocchet has passed those traits on to an Arizona Coyotes team that has gone 6-2-2 in their last 10 to climb back into the Western Conference playoff race. With a record of 23-23-4 and 32 games remaining, the Coyotes are two points out of the playoffs

"I'm still trying to find our identity," Tocchet told USA TODAY Sports. "But I have some friends who coach in the league, and sometimes after a game, they are being nice and said, 'Man you are difficult to play against.' And as a player or a coach I've always wanted to hear that from an opponent."

What makes the Coyotes' recent run more impressive is that it has come at time when they have overrun by injuries. Goalie Antti Raanta and forward Nick Schmaltz are likely out for the year and forwards Christian Dvorak and Brad Richardson have been sidelined. Now defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is day-to-day. Yet optimism remains.

"I think the team has a belief right now," general manager John Chayka said. "We know if we work hard, and our defensive game remains strong, the guys realize we can make a push."

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Tocchet said when the injuries were mounting he called the team together and asked everyone to simplify their game and magnify their effort.

In his second season in Arizona, Tocchet has built the Coyotes into the NHL's ninth-best defensive team, holding opponents to 2.82 goals-per-game.

Chayka describes Tocchet "as a guy who wants to punch first."

"It's very motivating to know if you give Tocc a player, he will get the most out of him," Chayka said.

Conor Garland is a good example. He is a fifth-round pick who has nine goals in his first 23 games with the Coyotes. Richardson, with 11 goals, was having a career year.

"We've had a lot of moving parts some nights, not knowing who's available, and how many of the players will be from (the AHL affiliation in) Tucson, but regardless of the situation he has gotten the most out of our group every single night," Chayka said. "There are good coaching records out there but I have Tocc right up there with every one else in the league."

As the NHL starts the second half, the Coyotes' grade is improving.

Here are other teams with changing grades:

Improving grades

► New York Islanders: The NHL is starting to view this Barry Trotz-coached team as being a Stanley Cup factor because of its defensive play. You hear comparisons to the successful New Jersey Devils teams of the 1990s.

► Pittsburgh Penguins: No one is paying much attention to the Penguins and yet there they sit with a 26-16-6 record, a +23 goal differential, and Sidney Crosby playing some of the best all-around hockey of his career.

► Montreal Canadiens: Shouldn't GM Marc Bergevin be receiving some credit for turning around the Canadiens? They're 28-18-5. Tomas Tatar has outproduced Max Pacioretty after their offseason trade. The Max Domi acquisition also has worked out.

Dropping grades:

►Buffalo Sabres: A 3-6-1 record in their last 10 games have dropped them out of a playoff position. Their top players are producing, but they could use some secondary scoring. The Sabres rank ninth with a .909 team save percentage, but they are 15th in goals-against. That suggests they need to tighten their defensive game.

►Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks look like a team waiting for general manager Bob Murray to do something to spark their anemic offense, ranked 30th at 2.26 goals per game. Goalie John Gibson is the only reason they are in the playoff hunt.

► Colorado Avalanche: A 3-7-0 slide heading into the All-Star break has some fans worried. You don't have to be coach or GM to figure out what's wrong. They are seventh in the NHL in scoring (3.38) and 22nd in goals-against (3.22). If the Avs clean up their defensive play they will be a playoff team.