Game Preview
After the high highs of the five-game win streak, the Arizona Coyotes are experiencing a dramatic crash back to Earth. The Desert Dogs have lost their last three games, including a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres last night.
It was a rough loss for the Coyotes, who seemed out of sync all game. It is possible that the Coyotes’ injuries are just now catching up to them, but unfortunately, they are still a ways off from getting any relief on that front.
But every dark cloud has some silver linings. Michael Kesselring notched his first NHL goal from Logan Cooley and Miloš Kelemen, and first goals are always worth celebrating, even in a loss. Michael Carcone also scored the Coyotes’ second short-handed goal, as the 27-year-old continues to have a breakthrough season. Additionally, the Coyotes’ penalty kill went a perfect two for two, and the Yotes have been taking fewer penalties lately.
But the Coyotes can not dwell on last night’s mistakes for long; they have another matchup tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pittsburgh could prove to be an interesting problem for the Coyotes. Like Buffalo, they are second to the bottom in their respective division. With 25 points in 26 games, they have the same number of points as the Sabres before they beat the Coyotes, although they have played fewer games. They are also plenty motivated to get their first win in December, having lost their last four.
But the Penguins are different in a lot of crucial ways. They are one of only three teams in the Metro with a positive goal differential, which isn’t great for the Coyotes. The Penguins aren’t scoring a lot of goals this season, but Thanks to Tristan Jarry, they aren’t giving up a lot either.
The Penguins have been riding Jarry hard to start the season. Of the 26 games they played, Jarry started 20 of them. He is doing good in his starts, with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage, but is getting a lot of work.
Tonight is the first game of a back-to-back for the Penguins, so it will be interesting to see how they decide to play it. The Penguins have had three back-to-backs so far this season, and Jarry has not started both so far, so tonight’s starter could depend on whether the Penguins see the Coyotes or the Montréal Canadians as the tougher opponent.
If the Coyotes can win tonight, they will finish the road trip on a high note and get some momentum as they prepare for a three-game homestand and a rematch against the Buffalo Sabres. They have two days off, so there is absolutely no reason for them not to leave it all on the ice.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Matias Maccelli – Maccelli does not get enough credit for his work with the Coyotes this season. He had an assist on the Carcone goal and comes into tonight’s game riding a three-game point streak.
Pittsburgh: Reilly Smith – Smith had the Penguins’ lone goal in their last game, his seventh of the season. Since coming over from the Vegas Golden Knights in a trade this past offseason, Smith has 14 points in 26 games.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Boyd (upper body), Sean Durzi (questionable, lower body), Barrett Hayton (upper body), Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body), Jack McBain (lower body)
Pittsburgh: Noel Acciari (lower body), Matt Nieto (lower body), Rickard Rakell (upper body), Chad Ruhwedel (lower body), Bryan Rust (upper body)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be in Pittsburgh with a 5:00 p.m. start.