Game Preview
The Arizona Coyotes’ losing streak is finally over! Thanks to the stellar play of goaltender Connor Ingram in a 21-save night, the Coyotes shut out the San Jose Sharks, beating them 1-0.
It wasn’t a commanding win for the Coyotes, but they will take it. Forward Matias Maccelli scored the Coyotes’ lone goal late in the second period, his sixth of the season. The Sharks came close to tying it twice but saw both goals overturned for goaltender interference and being offside.
Last night’s game marked the return of forward Jack McBain, who played 10 minutes and 33 seconds. McBain is a good supporting piece for the Coyotes and will hopefully help the Coyotes’ lineup and take some pressure off the forward group that is still waiting for the returns of Travis Boyd and Barrett Hayton.
Ideally, the Coyotes would want a more commanding performance over a team like the Sharks, but with the losing streak they were on, they will take what they can get. A win can get you into the right mental state and give you momentum going into your next game. And the Coyotes will need that momentum as they play again tonight in a rematch against the Buffalo Sabres.
Since beating the Coyotes 5-2 on Monday, the Sabres are 1-1-0. They started their three-game road trip with a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche and followed that up with a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights last night.
Buffalo’s game last night was a lot like their game against the Coyotes. Things were pretty tight going into the third period before the Sabres ran away with the game, scoring three unanswered goals and then an empty netter. Buffalo had a similar three-goal run in the second period against the Coyotes, so hopefully, the Coyotes will be careful tonight.
The Sabres had one power play last night, which they killed off, and took four penalties. Vegas scored on their first power play, which tied the game. We have seen how vital special teams could be, and they could prove to be make or break tonight.
Because both teams played last night, the Coyotes have a slight edge because they did not have to travel. The flight from Las Vegas to Phoenix isn’t a major one, but the Coyotes will take any advantage they can get after their last match against the Sabres.
Devon Levi played last night, which suggests that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will get the start tonight. The 24-year-old netminder has started 12 games this season and has a 2.99 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
If the Coyotes go in ready, they should have a good chance of winning tonight. The Coyotes have beaten better teams this season, they just need to be prepared and make the Sabres play their game.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Matias Maccelli – Along with scoring the Coyotes’ lone goal against the Sharks, Maccelli has goals in back-to-back games and comes into tonight’s game riding a five-game point streak. He had an assist against the Sabres in their last match.
Buffalo: Casey Mittelstadt – Mittelstadt had two goals and an assist last night, ending a four-game pointless streak. He is currently tied with Rasmus Dahlin for a team-leading 25 points.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Boyd (upper body), Sean Durzi (lower body), Barrett Hayton (upper body), Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body)
Buffalo: Zemgus Girgensons (lower body), Jordan Greenway (upper body), Jack Quinn (Achilles), Jeff Skinner (upper body)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be at Mullett Arena again with a 7:00 p.m. start time. It will air on Scripps.