Game Preview
The Arizona Coyotes’ road trip reaches its middle point against the most challenging opponent tonight. The Coyotes will face off against the division-leading Dallas Stars for the first time this season in what will be a significant test for the Desert Dogs.
Despite splitting their first two games, the Coyotes haven’t inspired much confidence going into tonight’s game. After two sloppy games, Arizona will need to be as close to perfect as possible tonight.
But there is some hope. The Coyotes seem to play better against better competition, which will hopefully be the case tonight. And while their last two games were sloppy, they did have some bright spots.
Arizona having to come back from multiple two-goal deficits against the Nashville Predators was far from ideal, but the Coyotes did manage to claw their way back. And while seeing the Coyotes take seven penalties in the first 40 minutes against the St. Louis Blues was highly frustrating, the Coyotes killed every penalty and kept the game close despite being repeatedly short-handed.
Arizona will want to be at the top of their game tonight against the Stars. Dallas leads the Central Division with 21 points and comes into tonight’s matchup riding a three-game win streak, having most recently beaten the Minnesota Wild 8-3.
While Arizona has five players with ten or more points, the Stars have seven. Clayton Keller would lead the Stars with 15 points, but Wyatt Johnston, Joe Pavelski, and Jason Robertson would be tied for second with 13.
The Stars and the Coyotes have both scored 47 goals through 14 games this season, although Dallas has only given up 35 compared to Arizona’s 42 goals against. Arizona does have an edge on the power play (29.1% success vs. 20.0%), but the Stars have the best penalty kill in the league (91.8%), so don’t expect the Coyotes to score a lot of power play goals.
Arizona’s game plan has to be the same as when they played the New Jersey Devils earlier this season. Don’t give up the first goal, score when you can, and stay out of the box. If they can play a well-executed game, they may just walk away with two points tonight.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Clayton Keller – Keller had a goal and two assists in his last game and rides into tonight’s game riding a three-game point streak. Keller is the Coyotes’ best player, and the Coyotes need him at the top of his game.
Dallas: Wyatt Johnston – Johnston had two goals and an assist in the Stars’ last game and has five points in his previous two games. The 20-year-old center seems to be doing a good job avoiding the sophomore slump and is on his way to another 20+ goal season.
Injuries
Arizona: Jack McBain
Dallas: Thomas Harley
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be at 6:00 p.m. Arizona time and will air on Scripps.