Nashville Predators (25-19-1) at Arizona Coyotes (21-19-3)
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Starting Time/Venue: 1 p.m. MST at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ
With the NHL playoff race in the Western Conference getting even more spicy, the Arizona Coyotes and Nashville Predators are both in the thick of it, needing any point they can get.
The Predators are seventh in the conference with 51 points while the ‘Yotes are not far behind in 11th (45). Breathing down the necks of Arizona, the St. Louis Blues (44) and Minnesota Wild (43) are chasing as well, making this a must-win game for the Coyotes.
Going back to Nov. 11, 2023, both the Coyotes and Preds were involved in a 12-goal thriller, with the Desert Dogs winning 7-5 in “Smashville.”
Logan Cooley had three assists, Michael Carcone scored twice and there were 11 different point-getters on the ‘Yotes in the victory.
Since then, Arizona are 2-5-1 in their last eight games and are coming off of a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
The Coyotes’ offense tried to mount pressure in an end-to-end third period, but were denied by Thatcher Demko who made 20 saves for the Canucks.
Nick Schmaltz status is unknown for today’s tilt in Tempe, at the time of reporting, after missing last game with an upper-body injury.
As for Nashville, they are 6-3 in their past nine after a 2-1 statement victory on Jan. 18 vs. the Los Angeles Kings.
The Predators are in the middle of most statistical categories, contributing to them staying in the second Wild Card Spot. They are 24th in the NHL on the penalty kill (77.2%).
A key contributor to their success, goaltender Juuse Saros is 18-16-1, holds a 2.96 goals-against-average and .903 save percentage.
It will be interesting to see if both teams’ defense will be the story or if the game will be another bloodbath like in Nashville two months ago.
Key Stats
Goals
Coyotes – LW Lawson Crouse/RW Clayton Keller: T-17
Predators – LW Filip Forsberg: 22
Assists
Coyotes – LW Matias Maccelli/RW Clayton Keller: T-22
Predators – D Roman Josi: 30
Points
Coyotes – RW Clayton Keller: 39 (17 goals, 22 assists)
Predators – LW Filip Forsberg: 48 (22 goals, 26 assists)
Injuries
Arizona Coyotes: C Barrett Hayton (upper body – IR), D Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body – IR), C Travis Boyd (upper body – IR), C Nick Schmaltz (upper body – Day-to-Day)
Nashville Predators: D Tyson Barrie (upper body – Day-to-Day)
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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
