GDT Game 46: Two win streaks enter, one leaves

Game Preview

With Tuesday’s win over the Florida Panthers, the Arizona Coyotes are back in first place in the Pacific Division. It required a comeback, with the Coyotes at one point down 2-1 in the second. The Coyotes would go on to score four unanswered goals, giving them the 5-2 win.

The Coyotes continue to benefit from solid offense. Five Coyotes scored against the Panthers, with Phil Kessel, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Taylor Hall all having a multi-point night.

With Lawson Crouse getting his tenth of the season in the empty net, the Coyotes now have six players with over ten goals just over halfway through the season. After not having a single 20-goal scorer last season, they could have six this season.

Tuesday also featured the first game of the season for goaltender Adin Hill. He made 30 saves on 32 shots, including 7 saves on the penalty kill. Goaltender Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper seem close to returning from injuries, but until then it’s good to know that Hill can keep things going.

After a weak start to the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning seem like they are a good team again. They are currently second in the Atlantic Division, although the seven-point lead that the Boston Bruins have may make it difficult for them to win the Division.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have won their last eight games, and have points in nine of their last ten. On Tuesday they did the Coyotes a huge favor with a 9-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

The Lightning were truly dominant in that game, outshooting their opponent every period. During that game they scored twice on the power play and had a perfect penalty kill, and five players had multiple points.

Players to Watch

Arizona: Taylor Hall - Hall scored the game-winning goal and had the primary assist on the Coyotes first goal. Since coming to the desert the Coyotes’ offense has been much better and he deserves a lot of credit.

Tampa: Carter Verhaeghe - Verhaeghe had a hat trick against the Canucks and has points in his last three games. In his first season in the NHL has five goals and four assists.

Injuries

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

Tampa: Ryan McDonagh (upper body)

Puck Drop

Tonight’s game will be at 5:00 pm Arizona time and will air on Fox Sports Arizona and Fox Sports 910 AM.