GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Shane Doan raced down the right side of the ice on a two-on-one breakaway with nothing but a reeling Washington Capitals defenseman skating in his way.
The Arizona Coyotes captain had a chance to shoot the puck and score a hat trick. Instead, he passed the puck across the ice to rookie Tobias Rieder, making his NHL debut.
With the puck on his stick, Rieder used his speed to create additional space and slot the puck past Capitals goalie Justin Peters and into the back of the net for his first career goal that also proved to be the game-winning score.
"It was unbelievable," Rieder said. "It's just the best feeling ever."
Since that night, Nov. 2, 2014, Rieder has become a staple in coach Dave Tippet's lineup that features an arsenal of young players, including 20-year-old rookie winger Max Domi and fellow rookie Anthony Duclair.
Rieder appeared in 72 games and accounted for 21 points last season. He quickly became a reliable two-way player in the lineup. The 22-year-old scored four goals and accumulated six points through 11 games this season, ending his six-game point-less streak with a third-period goal in last Friday's 4-3 home loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
"He's been excellent," Tippett said of Rieder's progress. "You could arguably talk about he's in the top two or three forwards on our team. Five on five he's generated the most scoring chances on our team."
Although Rieder has impressed during his short tenure with the Coyotes, Tippett said the second year player has room for growth.
"As he continues to improve his game, you'll see some better puck play," Tippett said. "There's times where I still think he can hold the puck more and (make it) less of a chip-and-chase game and make some plays that top players make."
Rieder has played alongside Duclair and veteran Martin Hanzal most frequently this season, but he has also played on lines with center Tyler Gaudet and wingers Brad Richardson and Steve Downie.
Domi, who leads the Coyotes with five goals and 11 points, is equally impressed with Rieder's ability to contribute everywhere on the ice.
"He's one of the fastest guys I've ever played with," Domi said. "He does everything. He's the complete hockey player and whatever coach needs him to do, he's going to do, whether its kill penalties, power play, play five on five.
"He's the kind of guy you want on your team and he's the kind of guy you need on your team to win."
Rieder factored into the team's quick start to the campaign that saw the Coyotes win their first three games of the season. He scored two goals and tallied four points to help the team skate past the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks.
Arizona has sputtered of late, dropping six of its last eight contests entering Thursday's game and only collecting five points during the rough stretch. The team sits in fourth place in the Pacific division, five points behind division leaders Los Angeles and Vancouver.
Tobias Rieder appeared in 72 games for the Coyotes last season and accounted for 21 points.
Rieder said the team can generate more scoring opportunities to spearhead the attack.
"Create a little bit more offensively, clean up some things in our end, be a little harder to play against and I can think we can build on what we've already been doing," Rieder said.
As far as individual progression, Rieder echoed Tippett's comments about puck possession.
"Just hang on to the puck more, don't throw it away as much and just try to make more plays," he said. Obviously you feel more comfortable out there after having one season under your belt.
It was a good experience last year and now you just try to keep building and building."
