Because of their five-game winning streak being broken the last time out, the Arizona Coyotes (13-10-2) will look to get right back into the win column as they go up against the joint-best team in the Eastern Conference in the Boston Bruins (17-5-3) today inside TD Garden at 11 a.m. MST.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Despite collecting all 10 points available in their last five matchups, the Coyotes’ offense were unable to build off of the momentum they had in a 4-1 defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers who negated any dangerous threat.
Flyers right wing Travis Konecny was able to two score twice, and Arizona were held to the outside of the ice due for a majority of the game due to the tight defensive system that Philadelphia utilizes.
Additionally, only Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse was able to get on the board for the ‘Yotes who finished a five-game homestand with a 4-1 record.
Now, Arizona are set to begin a three-game roadtrip with their first opponent being the reigning Presidents Trophy winners in the Bruins.
Similarly to the Coyotes, Boston’s three-game victory stretch ended by a 3-1 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 7.
Regardless, the Bruins had the best regular season in NHL history with 65 wins and 135 points in 2022-23.
There were questions coming into the season around how the Bruins would respond after both captain Patrice Bergeron and center David Kreijčí retired.
However, Boston have brushed those skeptics away as they currently sit tied with the New York Rangers for the top spot in the East, amassing 37 points each.
Not skipping a beat, Bruins star David Pastrňák is building off of a 115-point season from a year prior.
With 14 goals and 22 assists, “Pasta” has 36 points which is the fourth-best total in the NHL.
Furthermore, Boston are second in the league in goals-against (62) and fourth in goal-differential (+20).
Going up against one of the best teams in hockey, Arizona have a tough challenge ahead in today’s matinee.
History
Last season, the Coyotes split a two-game series with Boston 1-1.
First, ex-Bruin A.J. Greer scored 2 goals and assisted once in a 6-3 victory over Arizona at TD Garden on Oct. 15, 2022.
Then, Crouse had a three-point night himself, including the game-winning goal with 0:14 left, in a 4-3 ‘Yotes win on Dec. 9, 2022.
Injuries
Coyotes: C Jack McBain (lower body – IR), C Barrett Hayton (upper body), D Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body – IR), C Travis Boyd (upper body) and D Sean Durzi (lower body – day-to-day)*
*Durzi is questionable. His status for today’s game is unknown, at the time of reporting.
Bruins: D Derek Forbort (lower body – IR)
Travis Konecny’s two goals, Flyers’ stingy defense locks up 4-1 victory over Coyotes
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Alec Cipollini is a reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
