Game Preview
The Arizona Coyotes keep losing, and it is starting to get ridiculous. The Yotes dropped their 14th straight game last night, falling 4-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was the second loss to the weeks in eight days.
It was another game where the Coyotes trailed for the entire game. The Leafs scored first in the first period and then registered two more goals before the Coyotes even got on the board. And while the Coyotes did admirable in the comeback attempt, they can’t keep chasing games.
Like in many of their games, the Coyotes did some good things in their defeat. In a rare move, they largely avoided taking penalties, only giving the Maple Leafs two chances with the man advantage.
In addition to not taking too many penalties, the Coyotes’ penalty kill was outstanding. The Leafs didn’t score with either chance, and Alex Kerfoot got the Coyotes on the board with a short-handed goal. It just goes to show that while special teams are important, they can’t overcome a slow start.
After facing off against one of the better teams in the Atlantic Division, the Coyotes will face one of the worst. The Ottawa Senators are at the bottom of the division, with 53 points in 57 games this season.
The Senators and Montréal Canadiens are currently competing for the bottom of the division, with the Senators having fewer points and playing fewer games. Who knows who will be at the bottom when the season ends?
Ottawa has been okay since the All-Star break, although they are in a rough patch. They were 5-4-1 in February and finished the month with back-to-back losses to the Capitals and Predators on Monday and Tuesday.
The Coyotes need to get things done 5-on-5, but they should have the advantage with special teams. The Senators have the second-worst penalty kill in the NHL, and their power play is ranked 26th. If the Coyotes stay disciplined and take advantage when they get the opportunities, they may pull off a win tonight and end the losing streak.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Matias Maccelli – Maccelli is riding a four-game point streak after registering an assist in the Coyotes’ game against Toronto. He is one of the Coyotes’ top players and is needed tonight.
Ottawa: Drake Batherson – Batherson comes into tonight’s game riding a three-game goal streak and four-game point streak. The 25-year-old hit the 20-goal plateau for the second time in his career and is on pace for a new career-high.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Boyd (pectoral), Clayton Keller (upper body)
Ottawa: Travis Hamonic (undisclosed), Josh Norris (upper body)
Puck Drop
Today’s game will be at 5:00 p.m. Arizona time and will air on Scripps.