Game Preview
Don’t look now, but the Arizona Coyotes are on a roll. The Coyotes have won their last two matches, shutting out the Vegas Golden Knights and beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1.
The Coyotes are dealing with some significant injuries, but they are still finding ways to win. Much of that credit can be attributed to Coyotes’ goaltender Connor Ingram, who has been standing on his head the past few games.
Ingram has allowed just one goal on 65 shots and is making a strong case to be the Coyotes’ starter. But some goaltenders respond well to internal competition, so it seems early to count out Karel Vejmelka.
The Coyotes’ top line hasn’t been consistent, but the rest of the lineup is stepping up. Travis Boyd scored his first goal of the season against the Lightning, with Michael Carcone lighting the lamp twice.
Despite some significant injuries, the Colorado Avalanche are excelling this season. They are at the top of the Central Division, two points ahead of the Dallas Stars, having played one more game.
Like the Coyotes’ last opponents, the Colorado Avalanche are scoring a lot of goals this season. The Avalanche have scored 79 goals this season, one fewer than the Lightning, despite playing two fewer goals.
But unlike the Lightning, the Avalanche give up far fewer goals. The Avalanche have given up only 59 goals, tying them for tenth with the Ottawa Senators. It should be noted that Colorado has also played four more games than the Senators.
Despite being a high-offense team, the Avalanche’s power play is just okay. It is ranked 18th, just above the San Jose Sharks. While the Coyotes have better luck when they stay out of the box, that isn’t going to be enough against the Avalanche, who are great at 5-on-5.
And things aren’t going to get any easier for the Coyotes with the man advantage. The Avalanche’s penalty kill is fourth in the NHL and third in short-handed goals.
That said, this will be a tough matchup for the Desert Dogs. On paper, the Avalanche are the better team in every category. But the Coyotes have beaten better teams this season, and they can do the same tonight.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Alex Kerfoot – Kerfoot had two assists in the Coyotes’ last game and has four points in his previous five games. Kerfoot started his NHL career with the Avalanche and is hopefully ready against his former team.
Colorado: Ryan Johansen – Johansen has nine goals and an assist through 21 games with the Avalanche and is two goals away from hitting 200 career goals. He comes into tonight’s game with three goals in his last two games.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Dermott (upper body), Barrett Hayton (upper body), Jack McBain (lower body), Juuso Välimäki (face)
Colorado: Jean-Luc Foudy (lower body), Pavel Francouz (groin), Gabriel Landeskog (knee), Artturi Lehkonen (neck), Chris Wagner (Achilles)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be at Mullett Arena and will start at 7:00 p.m. Arizona time. It will air on Scripps.