Since Oct. 1, the Arizona Coyotes (4-4) and Anaheim Ducks (5-4) have gotten very familiar with each other, maybe too familiar.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!To conclude the preseason, both teams had a three-game mini-series and Arizona took it 2-1.
Then, the first piece of NHL action for the 2023-24 season that commenced at Mullett Arena was when Anaheim traveled to Tempe on Oct. 21.
In the Coyotes home-opener, Arizona squeaked out a 2-1 victory after a physical game with 55 combined hits.
Hard to duplicate, the ‘Yotes previously crushed the Chicago Blackhawks 8-1 on Oct. 30, thanks to two 4-point nights by forwards Michael Carcone and Jack McBain.
On the other hand, the Ducks are on a four-game winning streak as they have most recently beaten the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 two days ago.
Here is all you to know before Arizona go to war in SoCal against Anaheim tonight inside Honda Center at 7 p.m.
Pregame Notes
With their recent run, Anaheim have had some players who are experiencing breakout seasons.
Remarkably, Ducks winger Frank Vatrano is on a goal-per-game pace currently as he has scored 9 in 9; including two hat-tricks.
Furthermore, Anaheim’s former #3 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, Mason McTavish, is off to a blistering start.
In his third NHL season, McTavish has netted 6 goals and assisted 5 times for 11 points in 9 games.
As for Arizona, they are being led by wingers Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz who have both recorded 8 points in 8 games.
Previously, the ‘Yotes were 1-1-1 last season against Anaheim.
Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler scored twice in Mullett Arena back on Jan. 24 in their 5-2 victory.
Four days later, Anaheim phenom Trevor Zegras grabbed the overtime winner against the Coyotes in a 2-1 Ducks win on Jan. 28.
Back in Tempe, Arizona center Barrett Hayton would return the favor as he clinched the decider in the 5-4 overtime victory on Apr. 8.
Ducks starting goalie John Gibson is listed as day-to-day after making a save against his hometown team in Pittsburgh, but didn’t continue following the first period as he suffered an upper body injury.
A little over a week ago, Anaheim defenseman Jamie Drysdale was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 23 after sustaining a lower body injury.
Additionally, multiple sources are saying that Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott will be able to play against the Ducks after being out the last two games with an illness.
After tonight, both teams will play each other one last time in the regular season at Anaheim on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m.
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Alec Cipollini is a journalist covering the Arizona Coyotes, Cardinals and Phoenix Rising for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
