Game Preview
The Arizona Coyotes’ three-game road trip is at an end, and they have a chance to end it on a high note. The Coyotes have three points so far and are looking for another two tonight.
Arizona played a good game against the Flames and was the better team for two periods. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean much when you can’t finish strong and allow your opponents to come back with three unanswered goals.
The Coyotes’ loss could be blamed on two significant issues: missed opportunities and too many penalties. They have been serious problems throughout the season but were on display on Tuesday.
The Flames had five power plays against the Coyotes, way too many, and while they only converted on one, it was the most important goal of the game. Even if the Coyotes had successfully killed every penalty, giving your opponents two minutes with an extra attacker is a great way to lose momentum.
Along with the penalties, the Coyotes had a few Grade-A chances that they didn’t convert on. Their power play did not convert on their three chances, and there were plenty of moments where the Coyotes came close to scoring but didn’t. You can only do so much to increase their finishing, but the Deserts Dogs will need to find a way to score consistently.
While the Coyotes placed a team that is relatively on their level on Tuesday, that isn’t the case tonight. The Vancouver Canucks are currently the top team in the Pacific Division with a 29-11-4 record and the season and a 7-2-1 record in their last ten games.
Despite the Canucks being good, they haven’t been dominant in recent games. On Monday, they lost 4-3 in the shootout to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the worst team in the Metropolitan Division. Last Saturday, they beat the Buffalo Sabres, the second-worst team in the Atlantic, but only by a score of 1-0.
Close games against bad competition are potentially a sign that the Canucks are not taking their opponents seriously or they were tired after a long road trip. Either way, the Coyotes should do what they can to capitalize early and often, and hopefully, they can end the road trip on a high note.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Sean Durzi – Durzi was the Coyotes’ MVP against the Flames, doing everything in his power to get the Coyotes a win. He had a goal and an assist and comes into tonight’s game with four points in his last two matchups.
Vancouver: J.T. Miller – Miller had a goal and an assist in the Canucks’ last game and comes into tonight’s matchup with 60 points in 44 games.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Boyd (pectoral), Barrett Hayton (upper body), Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body)
Vancouver: Guillaume Brisebois (upper body), Phillip Di Giuseppe (undisclosed), Tucker Poolman (undisclosed)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be in Vancouver with an 8:00 p.m. start time. It will air on Scripps.