Arizona Coyotes (23-21-3) at Carolina Hurricanes (27-15-5)
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Starting Time/Venue: 5 p.m. MST at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC
Before they can head onto whatever they want to do during the NHL All-Star break, the Arizona Coyotes wrap up a three-game roadtrip when they clash with the Carolina Hurricanes this evening.
Arizona has been on a slide lately, going 0-2 while in Florida against the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
In the 6-2 loss to Florida and 6-3 defeat against the Lightning, both teams dominated and did enough damage early so the ‘Yotes were unable to create a comeback.
Clayton Keller is two points (45) away from being a point-per-game player once again after he scored and assisted in Tampa Bay.
With 99 goals in his career, Lawson Crouse needs just one more to reach No. 100.
Trying to end the first portion of the season on a high note, the Coyotes will have to go through the Hurricanes who are on a role.
Going 3-1 in their last four, Carolina sit second place in the Metropolitan Division with 59 points, two behind the New York Rangers (61). The ‘Canes do have a game in hand on the Rangers.
Hurricanes star Sebastian Aho has been one of the hottest player in the NHL as he has amassed 24 points (5 goals, 19 assists) in 14 games.
Competing as a collective unit, Carolina is constructed with strong depth up and down the lineup. As a result, they are seventh in the league in goals scored (159).
Not just that, but both special teams units for the ‘Canes click at an elite rate.
On the power play, Carolina are third in the NHL, capitalizing on the man advantage 27.7% of the time.
When killing off a penalty, the Hurricanes hold the fourth slot in the league, 84.1%.
As former Coyotes, Michael Bunting, Jordan Martinook and Antti Raanta will suit up for the Hurricanes. Tony DeAngelo has been a healthy scratch for the past few games, but also spent time with Arizona.
History
In franchise history, Arizona is 33-40-8-5 against the ‘Canes.
Last season, both teams split a two-game series 1-1, with the away team being victorious.
Crouse scored twice and Karel Vejmelka made 37 for the Coyotes as they shutout Carolina 4-0 on Nov. 23, 2022 in Raleigh.
Over in the desert, Aho recorded a three-point night and Brent Burns had four assists in a 6-1 blowout win for the Hurricanes on Mar. 3, 2023.
Key Stats
Goals
Coyotes – RW Clayton Keller: 20
Hurricanes – C Sebastian Aho: 17
Assists
Coyotes – LW Matias Maccelli/RW Clayton Keller: T-25
Hurricanes – C Sebastian Aho: 37
Points
Coyotes – RW Clayton Keller: 45 (20 goals, 25 assists)
Hurricanes – C Sebastian Aho: 54 (17 goals, 37 assists)
Injuries
Arizona Coyotes: C Barrett Hayton (upper body – IR), D Vladislav Kolyachonok (lower body – IR), C Travis Boyd (upper body – IR), D Matt Dumba (upper body – OUT), D Troy Stecher (lower body – IR)
Carolina Hurricanes: RW Andrei Svechnikov (upper body – OUT), G Frederik Andersen (illness – IR)
Coyotes’ Michael Kesselring fined for cross-checking vs. Lightning
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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
