Boston Bruins (24-8-7) at Arizona Coyotes (19-17-2)
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Starting Time: 7 p.m. MST at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ
With their losing streak now up to three-straight games, the Arizona Coyotes host the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins to conclude their regular season series against one another.
Arizona has given up three goals in each third period during this stretch, and have not led at any moment.
Nick Schmaltz has scored two goals in two games, but the team’s defensive and goaltending struggles outweigh’s his recent production, allowing four or more goals in four of their last five games.
After being recalled by the Coyotes from the Tuscon Roadrunners Saturday, Dylan Guenther had a goal in his season debut on Sunday night in the 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
Winnipeg’s relentless forecheck and defensive stinginess swallowed up any amount of pressure that the Coyotes attempted to instill, limiting them to just 17 shots.
Now looking to get out of their recent funk, Arizona face the Bruins who capitalized off of multiple turnovers by the Coyotes en route to a 5-3 win in Boston on Dec. 9. David Pastrňák had a three-point night, two goals and an assist.
This season, Pastrňák is fourth in the league in points (56), seventh in goals (24) and 10th in assists (32).
Boston suffered a 4-3 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche last night. Captain Brad Marchand scored two goals for the Bruins in the defeat.
The reigning Presidents Trophy winners are 5-1-1 in their past last seven games, not slowing down from their historic 65-12-5 record last season.
Known as one of the better defensive teams in the NHL, the Bruins have the third-best penalty kill (85.8%), and goals against (104).
They can also punish their opposition on the man advantage, holding the fifth-best power play (27.1%).
The Coyotes did beat Boston in the Bruins’ first trip to Mullett Arena last season, 4-3.
Can “Mullett Magic” strike twice or will the Bruins forget about last night’s loss and get revenge in the desert?
Key Stats
Goals
Coyotes – LW Lawson Crouse: 16
Bruins – RW David Pastrňák: 24
Assists
Coyotes – LW Matias Maccelli: 21
Bruins – RW David Pastrňák: 32
Points
Coyotes – RW Clayton Keller: 32 (13 goals, 19 assists)
Bruins – RW David Pastrňák: 56 (24 goals, 32 assists)
Injuries
Arizona Coyotes: C Barrett Hayton (upper body – IR), C Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body – IR), C Travis Boyd (upper body – IR)
Boston Bruins: D Brandon Carlo (upper body – Day-to-Day), LW James Van Riemsdyk (undisclosed – Day-to-Day), D Derek Forbort (undisclosed – IR), LW Milan Lucic (ankle – IR)
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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
