{coyotes} AVALANCHE (7-9-5) at COYOTES (9-11-2)

Monday 24 November 2014

{coyotes} AVALANCHE (7-9-5) at COYOTES (9-11-2)

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

9:00 PM ET

AVALANCHE (7-9-5) at COYOTES (9-11-2)

TV: TVA SPORTS; ALT+, FS-A

Season series: The Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes play the first of three games this season. Colorado won two of three against the Coyotes in 2013-14, including a 4-3 overtime victory in Glendale, Ariz., on Nov. 21.

Avalanche team scope: This is the only road game in a six-game stretch for Colorado, which is starting to find its game after a slow start. The Avalanche have won three of four, including a come-from-behind 4-3 home victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. One reason for Colorado's improvement has been improved play in its own zone. "It's obvious that we're playing better defensively. If you look at the number of shots against, we've cut down a lot on those. A lot of games were below or around 25. Scoring chances have been pretty much the same," coach Patrick Roy said after practice Monday. "I think we've been possessing the puck more offensively, and we don't stay down long in our end." Roy said. Goalie Reto Berra, who was pulled after allowing three first-period goals to Carolina, will start against Arizona. Forward Alex Tanguay, who sustained a facial injury last Tuesday when he was hit by a shot, will make the trip to Arizona and is likely to return.

Coyotes team scope: Arizona is back at Gila River Arena after splitting two games in California over the weekend, defeating the San Jose Sharks 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday before losing 2-1 to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. Backup goaltender Devan Dubnyk started against the Sharks and is 5-0-1 with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. That kind of performance could earn him more playing time at the expense of starter Mike Smith, who has been up and down this season. The Coyotes had Monday off. They hope that center Martin Hanzal will be ready to return after missing four games with a lower-body injury.

Team Stats