Game Preview
The Arizona Coyotes are back on the road with a three-game road trip before the All-Star break. They will start their trek with a visit to Florida and a back-to-back against the Panthers and the Lightning.
The Coyotes should have all of the momentum going into tonight’s game with wins in their last two matchups. They pulled off a solid 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators and followed that up with a commanding 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Monday’s win over the Penguins was one of the better games the Desert Dogs have played all season. The big thing going around social media is the Penguins’ own goal, and while it is nice to see the Coyotes get some luck, the Yotes played a great game before that.
Arizona did not trail once against the Penguins, they played a reasonably disciplined game, and they had an excellent third period. It was especially great to see a strong third period, something we haven’t seen much from the Coyotes this season.
The Panthers have had a mixed month since beating the Coyotes to start January. They won their next four games before falling 4-1 to the New Jersey Devils on the 13th, which started a four-game losing streak. Two of those losses came in overtime against the Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings, so they got some points.
Florida’s losing streak was snapped on Monday with a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators. While the Predators’ loss helps the Coyotes in the standings, it would be nice if the Panthers did not have momentum going into this game.
Although, even if the Panthers had been on a 10-game losing streak, I doubt that would change how they come into tonight’s game. Given the last time these two teams met, Nick Cousins was injured by a hit from Jason Zucker, a hit that resulted in a three-game suspension for Zucker, you have to imagine that Florida will be ready to avenge their teammate tonight.
Special teams played a significant factor the last time these teams met, mainly because the Panthers found ways to get under the Coyotes’ skin. The Panthers had five power plays against the Desert Dogs, and despite only scoring on one, they frequently killed any momentum the Coyotes were building. The Yotes need to do their best to stay disciplined, and they might just walk away with two points tonight.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Alex Kerfoot – Kerfoot had a goal against the Penguins, his seventh of the season. He also scored the Yotes’ lone goal in their previous game against the Panthers.
Florida: Sam Bennett – Bennett had a three-assist night against the Predators and comes into tonight’s game with 21 points in 34 games. He was held off the scoresheet against the Coyotes.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Boyd (pectoral), Matt Dumba (upper body), Barrett Hayton (upper body), Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body), Nick Schmaltz (upper body), Troy Stecher (lower body)
Florida: Aleksander Barkov (lower body), Nick Cousins (concussion), Gustav Forsling (personal)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be in Florida with a 5:00 p.m. start time and will air on Scripps.