Game Preview
After a stellar comeback at home against the Colorado Avalanche, the Arizona Coyotes are back on the road to face an old division rival. The Coyotes will play the Anaheim Ducks for the third and final time this season, with the series tied one game apiece.
The Coyotes’ comeback against the Avalanche was the type of game that could crystalize a season. Even if you are losing against a very good team, back-to-back 4-1 losses can demoralize you, so it was great to see the Coyotes prevent that from happening with a remarkable third-period comeback.
The win also kept the Coyotes in possession of a Wild Card spot during a very tight race. Before the start of the season, many people who report on the Coyotes thought they would compete for a Wild Card spot, but I’m not sure how many thought how long they would fight for one. There is still a lot of season left, but the Desert Dogs refuse to let go of a playoff spot, and you love to see it.
After playing the top team in the Central Division, tonight’s opponent will be the second-worst team in the Pacific Division. The Anaheim Ducks may be five points above the San Jose Sharks, but they are seven points below the next-best team in their division.
The Ducks scored a rare win in their last game against the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 (really), but it was rare for them. Anaheim is 3-7-0 in their previous 10, with only 13 wins through 34 games this season. They also have no overtime losses, which is a little unusual, but neither do the Nashville Predators.
There isn’t much the Ducks are doing right this season. They are 29th in goals scored and 24th in goals allowed. Their special teams are both average, both the power play and penalty kill are 15th, which is a step up from being awful.
Still, the Coyotes should know better than anyone that you can’t take it easy on a team, even if you think it should be an easy victory. The Coyotes saw firsthand what happens if the better team doesn’t play a full 60-minute game, so hopefully, they don’t fall into the same trap as their opponents did on Wednesday.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Sean Durzi – Durzi had a four-point night against the Avalanche and comes into tonight’s game riding a three-game point streak. Durzi has been excellent this season, and the Coyotes really missed him when he was sidelined with an injury.
Anaheim: Frank Vatrano – Vatrano leads the Ducks in goals (16) and points (25) and comes into tonight’s game riding a two-game goal streak. He had a goal against the Coyotes in their first matchup but was held off the scoresheet in the second.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Boyd (pectoral), Barrett Hayton (upper body), Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body), J.J. Moser (upper body)
Anaheim: Leo Carlsson (MCL), Radko Gudas (lower body), Isac Lundestrom (Achilles), Brock McGinn (personal)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be in Anaheim and will air at 8:00 p.m. Arizona time on Scripps.