GDT Game 57: Coyotes face Bruins in matinee showdown

Game Preview

Thursday was a tough loss for the Arizona Coyotes. They had an early two-goal lead after a first-period goal from Alex Goligoski and an early second-period goal from Christian Dvorak. Unfortunately, the team wasn’t able to keep up the momentum and they lost 5-3.

Exactly one minute after Dvorak gave the Coyotes the most dangerous lead in hockey the Hurricanes would cut Arizona’s lead in half with a goal from Andrei Svechnikov. Carolina would get four unanswered goals, including the ultimate game-winner from Sebastian Aho. And while the Coyotes would keep things going, including a goal from Conor Garland, the team was unable to even things up.

Arizona did manage a rare power play goal in their loss to the Hurricanes. The Coyotes power play has been hot and cold this entire season, and the Coyotes could use more consistency with the man advantage.

Even with the loss, the Coyotes are still in a good spot. With 61 points they have the first Wild Card spot and are only four points out of first place. The Pacific is still extremely tight and a win this afternoon will allow them to overtake the Edmonton Oilers ahead of them.

The Boston Bruins come into today’s game riding a five-game winning streak. They have been doing the Coyotes a lot of favors with wins against the Vancouver Canucks and the Vegas Golden Knights.

While they have been winning, not all of their wins are equal. Their last game was against the Chicago Blackhawks which had to be won in overtime. That game also proved that the Bruins offense can be stopped as they were limited to just one goal in regulation.

It is tough to find a weakness in the Boston Bruins. They are sixth in the league in goals scored and first in goals against. They have the second-best power play in the league and the fourth-best penalty kill.

Players to Watch

Arizona: Christian Dvorak - Dvorak comes into tonight riding a two-game goal streak and has three goals in his last four games. The Coyotes are going to need a lot from their offense including players.

Boston: David Krejci - Krejci is riding a three-game point streak with three assists and a goal. He is fourth on the Bruins in both assists and points.

Injuries

Arizona: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (questionable, lower body), Jason Demers (oblique), Barrett Hayton (conditioning), Darcy Kuemper (lower body)

Boston: Brandon Carlo (personal), Joakim Nordstrom (illness), Connor Clifton (upper body), Kevan Miller (knee)

Puck Drop

Tonight’s game will be in Boston and will air on Fox Sports Arizona and Fox Sports 910 AM.