The Coyotes won on Tuesday against the Avalanche, and they look to continue their winning ways against the Sharks.
Game Preview
The Arizona Coyotes went into Tuesday’s game looking for revenge. They had just dropped a match against the Colorado Avalanche 5-1 the night before, and things didn’t look like they were going to be better.
But the Coyotes came through. It wasn’t a pretty win and not one that the Coyotes should look to replicate. Arizona took an early lead with two first-period goals, only for the Avalanche to tie it up before the first ended.
Things went from bad to worse, with the Avalanche scoring again in the second in the third. Suddenly, the Coyotes went from a 2-0 lead 10 minutes into the game to being down 4-2 with 15 minutes left in regulation.
But then something happened. The Coyotes managed to get that ever-elusive third goal when Lawson Crouse managed his second goal of the season. Two minutes later, Phil Kessel scored his 10th of the season, and it was a tie game.
One shootout later, and the Coyotes skated off the ice with two points and the win.
Getting a win against the Avalanche is huge. They are one of the top teams in the West Division, if not the NHL. And considering how much the Coyotes have struggled against better teams, it should give them plenty of confidence going into tonight’s game.
Unlike the Avalanche, the San Jose Sharks are not one of the best teams in the division. They have the second-fewest points in the division, but that doesn’t mean the Coyotes should be unprepared.
While the Scottsdale Sharks may be at the bottom of the West Division, they also have two games in hand compared to the Coyotes. They’ve won their last two games, beating the surprisingly competitive Los Angeles Kings 2-1 and 4-2.
San Jose also has wins against the Anaheim Ducks and a surprising 6-2 win against the Colorado Avalanche. They’ve also taken the St. Louis Blues and Vegas Golden Knights to overtime, a good feat for a team people expected to struggle this season.
Players to Watch
Arizona: Phil Kessel – Kessel had a goal and an assist in the Coyotes’ last game, and it would be great if the team could get him going. He has been much better in his second season in the desert, but the team needs more consistent offense from Phil The Thrill.
San Jose: Evander Kane – Kane had two goals in his last game and an assist in his previous game. He currently leads the Sharks with 29 points in 31 games.
Injuries
Arizona: Tyler Pitlick (lower body), Antti Raanta (undisclosed), Niklas Hjalmarsson (upper body), Darcy Kuemper (lower body)
San Jose: Logan Couture (questionable, undisclosed), Matt Nieto (questionable, undisclosed)
Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will be at Gila River Arena at 7:00 pm Arizona time. It will air on Fox Sports Arizona and Fox Sports 910 AM.
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