Game Preview
After falling to the top team in the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets, the Arizona Coyotes’ opponent tonight is . . . one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Arizona Coyotes’ homestand continues with a matchup against the Boston Bruins for the second and final time this season.
The Arizona Coyotes have had a tough homestand and a difficult 2024. Their offense has almost completely dried up, being limited to two or fewer goals in their last four games, and they have given up at least four goals in each of their previous three games.
There are plenty of reasons for the Coyotes to be struggling right now. They have experienced a lot of injuries this season, including to their top center, Barrett Hayton, who hasn’t played since November 16th. They are also missing depth player Travis Boyd, and forward Jason Zucker will serve the final game of his three-game suspension tonight.
But Monday’s game did feature a bright spot; it was the first game of the season of the young Dylan Guenther. Guenther has had a successful start in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners, and he scored the Coyotes’ second and final goal against the Winnipeg Jets. If Guenther wants to stick around after Zucker’s suspension is over, he will need to have a massive game tonight to prove that he belongs in the NHL.
The Bruins come into tonight’s game after falling 4-3 to the Colorado Avalanche in a shootout. They have been relatively successful lately, with a 5-3-2 record in their last ten games, and they remain one of the top teams in the league.
If there was one thing that the Coyotes should have learned from their last match against the Bruins, you can’t give them an inch. The Bruins were up 3-0 on the Coyotes two minutes into the second period, making it all but impossible for the Desert Dogs to come back. And even when they scored twice to cut the Bruins’ lead to one, Boston scored another to preserve their lead.
Given the Bruins played last night, and went to the shootout, the best thing for the Coyotes would be to get a strong start and grab an early lead. If the Coyotes can get a few early goals and control the game’s pace, they can hopefully take advantage of a tired Bruins team.
Tonight is going to be another difficult matchup for the Desert Dogs, but it is not an impossible task. The Coyotes have beaten better teams before, and there is no reason they can’t do it again tonight. They are the more rested team, and there is a chance that the Bruins will not be expecting the Coyotes to compete, so they could just surprise everyone tonight.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Nick Schmaltz – The Coyotes’ top line has been inconsistent this season, but Schmaltz is still doing what he can. He has goals in back-to-back games and three points in his last four games.
Boston: Brad Marchand – Marchand had two goals against the Avalanche, his second two-goal night in three games. He had an assist the last time the Coyotes and Bruins met.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Boyd (pectoral), Barrett Hayton (upper body), Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body)
Boston: James van Riemsdyk (undisclosed), Derek Forbort (lower body)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be at Mullett Arena with a 7:00 p.m. start. It will air on Scripps.