{coyotes} COYOTES (17-25-6) at SENATORS (19-19-9)

Friday, 30 January 2015

{coyotes} COYOTES (17-25-6) at SENATORS (19-19-9)

Saturday, January 31, 2015

3:00 PM ET

COYOTES (17-25-6) at SENATORS (19-19-9)

TV: RDS2, TSN5

Season series: Clarke MacArthur had a goal and an assist, and 10 Ottawa Senators had at least one point in a 5-1 win against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on Jan. 10. Craig Anderson made 31 saves for Ottawa.

Coyotes team scope: Even with a third-period rally and 3-1 win at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, a 15-point deficit still stands between Arizona and the Calgary Flames for the second Western Conference wild-card spot for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As a result, general manager Don Maloney said Friday on Ottawa radio that he isn't averse to trading anyone besides captain Shane Doan. Maloney used the word reluctant to describe his feelings about a trade involving Oliver Ekman-Larsson, whose 13 goals lead NHL defensemen. Goalie Mike Smith will start, coach Dave Tippett confirmed to the Arizona Republic. Smith is 1-0-1 out of the All-Star break and has made 63 saves on 67 shots (.940 save percentage). Tippett said forwards Martin Hanzal and Lauri Korpikoski are dealing with minor injuries but are expected to play Saturday. Forward Joe Vitale missed the game Thursday with an upper-body injury sustained Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers and is doubtful for this weekend. Arizona plays at the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday.

Senators team scope: Anderson wasn't at practice Friday, according to the Ottawa Sun, after a hand injury prevented him from dressing for a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday. Robin Lehner started with emergency recall Andrew Hammond as his backup. Lehner, who made 35 saves on 39 shots before the Stars scored two empty-net goals in the final minute, will start again Saturday, coach Dave Cameron confirmed via the Senators official Twitter account. Forward David Legwand will return to the lineup in place of Alex Chiasson, who is day-to-day, the Sun reported. The Senators are 11 points behind the New York Rangers for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot. "We've got to go win four or five games in a row to give ourselves a chance to cut down the numbers," general manager Bryan Murray said, according to the Ottawa Citizen.

Team Stats