GDT Game 44: Coyotes looking to sweep Flyers

Game Preview

Don’t look now but the Arizona Coyotes are on a win streak. On Thursday they beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-2, and remain just two points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the top team in the Pacific Division.

Things weren’t looking for the Coyotes during that game. After Lawson Crouse scored first, Jakob Silfverberg tied it up in the final minute of the first period. Things went from bad to worse when Anaheim scored in the first three minutes of the second, putting the Coyotes behind for the first time in the game.

In a flip of the usual script, the Coyotes came alive in the third period. Christian Dvorak tied the game less than half a minute into the third and the team didn’t look back. Both Brad Richardson and Carl Soderberg scored before the halfway point, giving the Coyotes a comfortable two-goal lead and the win.

It’s great to see the Coyotes forwards come alive against the Ducks. The Coyotes have been hoping for more offense from their defense this season but every forward getting a point is an accomplishment.

The Philadelphia Flyers are deep in the playoff race in a very tight Metropolitan Division. The Flyers are currently ranked fifth behind the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Carolina Hurricanes but they are just four points back from second. They have played two more games than the Islanders though so they are going to need to start winning if they want to move up the standings.

Philadelphia has struggled as of late. They are on a road trip visiting the Pacific Division and have not fared well against the competition. They are 1-3-0 on the trip with their one win coming against the Ducks in overtime. Three of their opponents on the trip have scored at least five goals, which is a bit surprising for the team that has allowed the ninth fewest goals in the league.

Since the Coyotes and Flyers last met the received terrible news. Twenty-three-year-old forward Oskar Lindblom was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer Ewing’s sarcoma and will miss the rest of the season. The hockey world is rallying behind Lindblom and hoping for a recovery.

Players to Watch

Arizona: Phil Kessel - Kessel had an assist in the Coyotes’ last game and the last time he played the Flyers had two power play goals.

Philadelphia: Sean Couturier - Couturier had two goals in the Flyers’ last game, with one coming fifteen seconds into the third period. He is one of four Flyers players with 12 goals and he is second in points.

Injuries

Arizona: Darcy Kuemper (lower body), Niklas Hjalmarsson (leg)

Philadelphia: Oskar Lindblom (illness), Samuel Morin (knee)

Puck Drop

Tonight’s game will be at 6:00 pm Arizona time and will air on Fox Sports Arizona and Fox Sports 910 AM.