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Arizona Coyotes wrap up their East Coast swing versus the Bruins

The final game on this road trip for the Arizona Coyotes is a matinee in Beantown.

By Brendan Porter
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes are 0-3-0 on this most recent road trip, an ignominious mark regardless of the quality of teams played. They will hope to avoid another loss tonight against the Boston Bruins and snap their season long eight game losing streak.

Matchup at a Glance

Arizona Coyotes Boston Bruins
Points 47 (6th Pacific) 69 (4th Atlantic)
Goals For 2.14 (29th) 2.61 (21st)
Goals Against 3.31 (30th) 2.52 (10th)
Power Play 21.7% (5th) 17.1% (T-22nd)
Penalty Kill 77.3% (27th) 82.0% (13th)
5v5 SAT 49.0% (23rd) 52.3% (8th)
SpSV% 97.0 (T-29th) 100.0 (17th)


View From Arizona

It's difficult to say what the Coyotes' roster will look like prior to the game starting, with trade rumors surrounding Antoine Vermette and Zbynek Michalek swirling. It's too late for the team to save their season, but Arizona may be able to salvage something out of this year by flipping the two veterans for draft picks or prospects.

Still, the year goes on. This will be one of the rare instances where the road team is more rested than the home team, as the Bruins played in New Jersey last night. Whether that is an advantage to the team now dead last in the league in goals against per game - even below Buffalo - is an open question?

View From Boston

Tonight's Opposition

Stanley Cup of Chowder" href="http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Boston Bruins

Tonight's Opposition

Boston Bruins blog Stanley Cup of Chowder

Perennial playoff powerhouse Boston is having a rough go of things this year. They sit precariously in the final Wild Card spot with Florida, Philadelphia, and even Ottawa nipping at their heels. The salary cap has obviously impacted the Bruins' ability to ice a competitive team, as have injuries and underperforming players.

It's for that reason that the Bruins are rumored to be one of the teams in on Vermette. With the loss of David Krejci to injury, the Bs are a little thin down the middle as far as secondary scoring is concerned. There are still plenty of good pieces on this team, so if they want to make another run in the East they are going to have to make a move, and soon.

Keys to the Game

  • Get to them Early - The Bruins played last night, and had to go to overtime to beat the Devils. They're going to be tired. Arizona needs to take advantage.
  • Grind - The Coyotes may not have a lot of talent, but they do have it. The best way to give that talent time to flourish is to grind it out in the offensive zone, force turnovers, and let the speed of the youngsters take it from there.
  • Shut Out the Rumors - Trade time is every player's worst nightmare, with teammates and friends potentially heading elsewhere. The Coyotes are under little pressure overall, so they should take it to the team that is, and force them to make mistakes.

Who's Hot

Sam Gagner scored two power play goals against the New York Rangers Thursday night, while Mark Arcobello continues his torrid run with the Desert Dogs with five goals in seven games.

The Bruins need their best players to be their best players, and right now Loui Eriksson is doing what he can. He has two goals and two assists in his last four games.

Injury Report

Zbynek Michalek remains sidelined with concussion issues, while Mikkel Boedker and Martin Hanzal remain on injured reserve. Boedker may return this year, but Hanzal will not.

The Bruins are missing David Krejci for extended time, as well as Kevan Miller. Gregory Campbell and Tuukka Rask are both considered questionable for tonight's game.

Puck Drop

Bit of an early start for the Coyotes. Puck drop is at 3:30 PM Arizona time. You can watch the game on Fox Sports Arizona or listen on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

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