GDT Game 26: Coyotes go Duck hunting

Game Preview

The Arizona Coyotes had a tough matchup on Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers. Both teams were playing their second game of a back-to-back, and the Oilers are currently the top team in the Pacific Division. The Coyotes managed to get a point but fell to the Oilers in the shootout.

Against the Oilers, the Coyotes top players were almost completely shut out. Luckily they were able to get secondary scoring from Christian Fischer (3rd of the season), Vinnie Hinostroza (4th of the season), and Carl Soderberg (7th of the season). Soderberg’s goal would give the Coyotes a rare power play goal on the second of the Coyotes two power play opportunities.

Sunday’s game was the Coyotes’ first shootout loss of the season. It’s rather impressive that they had previously won their last three shootouts and they went 24 games without a shootout loss. The Coyotes have some breathing room in the standings, but they can’t leave any more points on the table, especially against division rivals.

Since these they met the Coyotes to open the season, the Anaheim Ducks have struggled this season. They aren’t terrible, but they are 11-11-3 and are second to last in the Pacific Division. They have played fewer games than anyone above them though, so they may jump up in the ratings.

Anaheim has won only three games this season, a 2-1 overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks, a 4-1 win against the St. Louis Blues, and a 3-0 win against the New York Islanders. Strangely, they have managed to get wins against some of the top teams, while losing to some of the bottom teams in the league like the Minnesota Wild, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Detroit Red Wings.

Players to Watch

Arizona: Alex Goligoski - Goligoski had assists on all three of the Coyotes goals on Sunday. After a rough last season, he has been solid offensively and defensively.

Anaheim: John Gibson - Gibson is pretty much going to drag the Anaheim Ducks kicking and screaming into the middle of the Pacific Division standings. He shut out the Islanders on Monday and has a .912 save percentage this season.

Injuries

Arizona: Lawson Crouse (questionable, upper body), Niklas Hjalmarsson (leg)

Anaheim: Josh Manson (knee), Ryan Kesler (hip), Patrick Eaves (illness)

Puck Drop

Tonight’s game will be at 7:30 pm Arizona time and will air on Fox Sports Arizona Plus and Fox Sports 910 AM.