Game Preview
After a four-game road trip to start the season, the Arizona Coyotes return home to Mullett Arena for the first time this season. The Coyotes went 2-2-0 on the road against some tough competition and come into tonight’s game with momentum after beating the St. Louis Blues 6-2.
Thursday’s game was the Desert Dogs’ best of the season and hopefully one they can replicate moving forward. Their power play was great, the penalty kill was perfect, and they got excellent goaltending from Connor Ingram.
Five Coyotes players registered multiple points against the Blues. Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, and Sean Durzi all had a goal and an assist, and Matias Maccelli and Juuso Välimäki had two assists.
Additionally, Jason Zucker and Michael Carcone scored their first goal of the season, and rookie Logan Cooley registered his fourth assist, the most by any rookie this season.
It was a game where the Coyotes looked like they were clicking, especially after two just-okay games against the Rangers and Islanders. Part of that could be down to the level of competition, but it could be the numerous new players are finally starting to build some chemistry. If that is the case, we will hopefully see the Coyotes play like they did against the Blues a few more times throughout the season.
The Anaheim Ducks had a busy offseason. It started with a coaching change, with the Ducks firing Dallas Eakins and bringing in Greg Cronin, and ended earlier this month with the re-signing of forward Trevor Zegras to a three-year, $17.25 million deal.
Like the Coyotes, the Ducks added a few veteran players. They brought in 34-year-old Alex Killorn, fresh off a 27-goal season, and defenseman Radko Gudas. Unfortunately for Anaheim, Killorn is set to miss 4-6 weeks after fracturing a finger during a preseason game against the San Jose Sharks, and he will not be available for today’s game.
The Ducks come into today’s game with a 1-2-0 record after opening up the season against some tough competition. Anaheim has played three teams that seem bound for the playoffs, the Vegas Golden Knights, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Dallas Stars, so the fact that they managed a win is impressive. That win was a 6-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the second game of a back-to-back.
Anaheim’s most recent game was a tight game against the Dallas Stars. The Ducks lost 3-2 in regulation but could have easily gone the other way. Anaheim started the scoring with a first-period goal from Troy Terry and briefly tied it up in the third period, with Leo Carlsson getting his first goal of his career.
A poor penalty kill would ultimately prove to be the Ducks undoing. The Ducks went from leading 1-0 to trailing 2-1 thanks to two second-period power play goals. The Coyotes’ power play has been inconsistent, but it could be the difference maker today.
But the Coyotes need to treat the Ducks like they treated the Islanders, Rangers, or Devils and not underestimate them. It is easy to look past a team like the Ducks, but the Coyotes need to show up ready to play because the Ducks will be prepared.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Nick Schmaltz – Schmaltz had another two-point night against the Blues, his second of the season. He and Keller are tied with a team-leading five points in four games.
Anaheim: Troy Terry – Terry notched his first goal of the season in the Duck’s last game and comes into today’s matchup with a goal and two assists in three games. Anaheim has a lot of young talent, but Terry is still a big part of the organization, and he is looking for his third straight 20+ goal season.
Injuries
Arizona: None
Anaheim: Jamie Drysdale (day-to-day), Adam Henrique (day-to-day), Brock McGinn (IR), Isac Lundeström (IR), Alex Killorn (IR), Chase De Leo (IR)
Puck Drop
Today’s game will be a matinee matchup at Mullett Arena with a 1:00 p.m. start time. It will air on Scripps.