Arizona Coyotes (18-14-2) at Anaheim Ducks (13-21-0)
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For the third and final time this regular season, the Arizona Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks will clash after they both took down two NHL powerhouses prior to tonight.
Arizona found themselves trailing 4-0 at one point against the Central Division leaders, the Colorado Avalanche.
Lawson Crouse would score his team-leading 15th goal of the season just before the second period ended to give his team some life.
Energized and rejuvenated, the Coyotes set the tone in the third period by dishing out physicality and burying three goals to tie the game 4-4.
Into overtime, the momentum from Arizona and their fans roaring in cheers saw them continue to attack the Avs before Jack McBain batted the game-winning goal out of midair to achieve a 5-4 comeback victory.
Similar to the Coyotes, the Ducks had a four-goal first period and Mason McTavish recorded three assists in a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 27.
Going into California, the ‘Yotes will face Anaheim for the sixth time since September, splitting 1-1 in the regular season and Arizona taking a three-game preseason series, 2-1.
Last time these two met, Arizona withstood a late onslaught of pressure by Anaheim, narrowly winning 2-1 in their home opener at Mullett Arena.
In Anaheim, Troy Terry scored a hat-trick as a crucial figure in the Ducks’ 4-3 comeback overtime victory on Nov. 1.
The Ducks game has revolved around speed and skill in previous years, but it has not translated to this season they are 29th in the NHL in goals scored (2.65).
Furthermore, defenseman Radko Gudas is questionable for tonight with a lower-body injury.
Being the biggest defensive force on their team, Gudas is 18th in the NHL with 82 hits and third in penalty minutes (65).
With their two previous encounters decided by a single goal, expect another tight affair at “The Duck Pond” tonight.
Stats Leaders
Goals
- Coyotes – LW Lawson Crouse: 15
- Ducks – RW Frank Vatrano: 16
Assists
- Coyotes – LW Matias Maccelli: 20
- Ducks – C Ryan Strome: 16
Points
- Coyotes – RW Clayton Keller: 30 (12 goals, 18 assists)
- Ducks – RW Frank Vatrano: 25 (16 goals, 9 assists)
Injuries
Arizona Coyotes:
- C Barrett Hayton (upper body – IR)
- D Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body – IR)
- C Travis Boyd (upper body – IR)
- D J.J Moser (upper body – Day-to-Day)
Anaheim Ducks:
- C Leo Carlsson (knee – IR)
- LW Brock McGinn (non-injury related – Day-to-Day)
- D Radko Gudas (lower body – Day-to-Day)
- D Tristan Luneau (illness – OUT)
Coyotes to hold ‘Skatin’ for Leighton’ for fourth consecutive year
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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
