Game Preview
After getting to play spoilers in their last two games, the Arizona Coyotes are set to play a team that is comfortably in a playoff spot. The Yotes play a division rival who is just two points out of the top spot in the Central.
The Coyotes come into tonight’s match with a fair amount of momentum after winning their last two games 4-1. Those wins came courtesy of the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils, two teams who should have come ready to play against the Coyotes.
Instead, the Coyotes struck first, which helped them dictate the game’s pace. They also did their best to stay out of the box, and they got some solid goaltending from both Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram.
The Coyotes and Stars last met on November 14th, in a game that the Stars won 4-3 in overtime. The two teams traded leads until Tyler Seguin tied it up late in the third period. Matt Duchene then scored just 42 seconds into overtime, giving Dallas the win.
Since then, Dallas has done very well. They have all but secured their spot in the post-season and could find themselves finishing on top if they get hot. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten games and come into tonight’s match with momentum after beating the Los Angeles Kings 4-1.
The Stars are currently on a five-game homestand, with the win over the Kings coming in their third game. It was their first win of the homestand, having dropped their first two games against the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils.
It isn’t hard to see why the Stars are where they are this season. They are a high-offense team that is second in goals scored per game played and 17th in goals allowed. Dallas also has pretty good special teams, with a top-ten power play and an 11th-ranked penalty kill.
While the Coyotes won’t be playing spoilers tonight, that doesn’t mean they won’t have a chance. The Stars haven’t played since last Saturday and may be rusty. A quick start may catch them flat-footed, allowing the Yotes to get their third straight win.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Dylan Guenther – Guenther had a goal against the Devils and comes into tonight’s game riding a two-game point streak. He has three points in his last four games.
Dallas: Wyatt Johnston – The 20-year-old Johnston comes into tonight’s game riding a four-game goal streak with five points during that stretch. He has already surpassed his rookie goals (24), assists (17), and points (41) with 26 goals and 53 points in 69 games.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Boyd (pectoral), Barrett Hayton (lower body)
Dallas: Evgenii Dadonov (lower body), Jani Hakanpää (lower body), Jerad Rosburg (undisclosed), Tyler Seguin (lower body)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be in Dallas with a 5:00 p.m. start time. It will air on Scripps.