The Arizona Coyotes have received good and bad news on the injury front ahead of their game against the San Jose Sharks.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Centers Jack McBain (lower body) and Nick Schmaltz (upper body) are set to play tonight while defenseman Sean Durzi (lower body) remains injured, forcing him to miss the game.
Since Nov. 9, McBain has been out from a heavy collision with the boards in the 2-1 loss to the Blues.
Taking the brunt of the impact, McBain was having trouble trying to put weight on his left leg as he struggled to skate off the before heading to the locker room.
However, McBain was fully involved in practice yesterday at Ice Den Scottsdale, which pointed to his anticipated return being close.
Before tonight, McBain has missed the past 15 games while on injured reserve. Into his third season as a Coyote, he has amassed four goals, three assists and seven points in 13 games.
For Schmaltz, he was not on the ice for practice, but he will comeback into the fold for Arizona.
Coyotes head coach André Tourigny stated that Schmaltz encountered an injury during their past three-game roadtrip, though it was not noted exactly when.
Arizona Coyotes Injury Update, according to head coach André Tourigny ahead of game vs. San Jose Sharks tomorrow night. #Yotes #SJSharks
– D Sean Durzi (lower body): "not ready"
– F Nick Schmaltz (upper body): game-time decision
-C Jack McBain (lower body): game-time decision pic.twitter.com/eHrSBNZ1LX— Alec Cipollini (@AlecCipollini) December 14, 2023
Durzi lightly skated around the ice before practice yesterday, but did not partake in the full preparations for tonight’s game.
This will be the fourth time in five games where Durzi will be absent as he deals with his lingering issue.
Arizona takes on San Jose tonight inside Mullett Arena at 7 p.m. MST.
San Jose Sharks at Arizona Coyotes Preview: Do Not Underestimate
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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
