When puck drops for another installment of Arizona Coyotes hockey, they will greet a team that they have historically been dominant and successful against for the last 20 years: the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!From Feb. 18, 2004 when they were then called the Phoenix Coyotes to now, the ‘Yotes are 18-4-2 and claimed at least one point in 20 games versus the Maple Leafs.
Additionally, Arizona have won the past four matchups and completing two season sweeps.
Last year, the Coyotes were 2-0, split in Tempe and on the road in Toronto.
Down 3-2 going into the second intermission because a goal from current Coyote and former Leaf Alex Kerfoot, Arizona scored four unanswered in the third period en route to a 6-3 home win on Dec. 29, 2022. Jack McBain had a two-goal night while Barrett Hayton recorded three points (1 goal, 2 assists).
Over in Scotiabank Arena, the ‘Yotes were controversially victorious with a 4-2 result. With the game tied 2-2 in the third frame late, ex Coyote Shayne Gostisbehere scored the game-winner with 1:33 left. Toronto appeared to tie it with 39 seconds remaining when Kerfoot scored, but it got erased for a suspected hand pass made by Morgan Rielly prior to the goal.
The last time the Leafs were victorious when facing the Desert Dogs was a 3-2 overtime victory back on Feb. 11, 2020.
Arizona are currently on a 10-game losing streak, the longest skid in the NHL. Meanwhile, Toronto have won four in a row.
Will this long-lasting “voodoo” shadowing over the Maple Leafs continue to roll over into 2024?
We’ll find out tomorrow at 8 p.m. MST inside Mullett Arena before they play each other once more on Feb. 29 in Toronto.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Arizona Coyotes, Cardinals and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
