Though they were the first NHL team in Phoenix, hockey had been played in the valley of the sun for over 20 years, going back to the WHA's Roadrunners who played from 1974-1977. After the WHA folded, the Roadrunners became a minor league team until the arrival of the Coyotes sent them running out of town.

After splitting their first two games on the road, the Coyotes beat the San Jose Sharks in front of a sold-out America West Arena 4-1 in the first regular-season NHL game played in Phoenix. Led by Keith Tkachuk, who would score 52 goals, the Coyotes would make the playoffs by finishing in third place in the Central Division with a 38-37-7 record.

In the playoffs, the Coyotes fans would continue a tradition that started in Winnipeg by wearing all white to home playoff games. However, the Coyotes would also maintain a Jets tradition by losing their first-round series to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games.