Game Preview
The Arizona Coyotes’ homestand continues with an opportunity to sweep an opponent. After facing off against the Dallas Stars, one of the better teams in the Central Division, the Yotes are set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets, the worst team in the Metropolitan Division.
Arizona’s last game against the Stars was closer, which probably is all a team like the Coyotes can expect when playing a top team like the Stars.
Unfortunately, the Coyotes’ biggest problem was that they couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage. They had four power play opportunities, including a lengthy 5-on-3, but they didn’t score once. The Stars do have a top-ten penalty kill, but good teams still find a way to make their opponents pay.
Arizona and Columbus last met in November, and the Blue Jackets have not been doing well since then. After falling 3-2 to the Yotes, they kept losing, and there are only three teams with fewer points than them this season.
Columbus is 2-6-2 in their last ten games and comes into tonight’s match riding a four-game losing streak. Their last win was against the San Jose Sharks, one of the few teams they are better than.
The Coyotes should have the advantage in all areas of the game. The Coyotes score more goals (2.89 vs. 2.86) and allow fewer (3.30 vs. 3.63). They also have the better power play (21.7% vs 14.3%) and penalty kill (76.9% vs 76.7%).
While neither team is set to make the post-season, tonight’s game will be important for many Arizona fans. Tonight will be the NHL debut of Josh Doan, son of former Coyote Shane Doan.
Of course, Doan isn’t making the NHL because of his name; he has played exceptionally well for the Tucson Roadrunners this season. He leads the team in goals (26) and points (46) through 62 games and is a big reason the Roadrunners will play in the postseason.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Clayton Keller – Keller comes into tonight’s game riding a five-game goal streak, having hit the 30-goal plateau against the Stars. He is on a massive hot streak right now and had an assist the last time he played the Blue Jackets.
Columbus: Kirill Marchenko – Marchenko had an assist in the Blue Jackets’ last game and is second on the team with 18 goals in 67 games. He was kept off the scoresheet the last time the Coyotes and Blue Jackets played.
Injuries
Arizona: Travis Boyd (pectoral), Josh Brown (illness), Barrett Hayton (lower body)
Columbus: Adam Boqvist (upper body), Yegor Chinakhov (upper body), Justin Danforth (concussion), Adam Fantilli (leg), Kent Johnson (shoulder), Sean Kuraly (lower body)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be at Mullett Arena with a 7:00 p.m. start.