Monday, 20 March 2017

{coyotes} COYOTES (26-36-9) at PREDATORS (35-25-11)

 

COYOTES (26-36-9) at PREDATORS (35-25-11)

8 p.m. ET; FS-A, FS-TN, NHL.TV

 

Coyotes team scope

The Arizona Coyotes begin a five-game road trip against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Monday. Captain Shane Doan will miss his second straight game because of a lower-body injury. He participated in the morning skate in a non-contact jersey. The Coyotes have points in five of their past six games (3-1-2). "I think our younger players are getting more comfortable," forward Tobias Rieder said. "We're just growing as a team. We know we have to get better every game. That's what our goal was, and I think we did that over the last couple of games. We improved every game and that's why we got the points." The Coyotes recalled defenseman Zbynek Michalek and forward Laurent Dauphin from Tuscon of the American Hockey League on Sunday. Michalek has played 781 NHL games and is expected to be in the lineup. "I wasn't expecting it so it was a surprise," Michalek said of the call-up. "It was a nice surprise to be able to get called up one more time and see what happens. I just want to enjoy it and have fun with it."

 

Predators team scope

The Predators lead the Los Angeles Kings by six points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. They also are tied with the St. Louis Blues for third place in the Central Division and would pass them with one point. "I think every game from now on is going to be huge," defenseman Roman Josi said. "We're in a race. The Kings are right behind us and we're in a big battle with the Blues for third in the Central so every game is going to be huge. We definitely want to take care of these home games." The Predators are preparing for a tough game against the Coyotes, who have two consecutive road wins. "Every team is going to battle hard," Josi said. "It doesn't matter if they're out of the playoffs or not. Every team has a lot of pride. They want to play hard and win their games. I've been in that situation too, where we were out of the playoffs but you still play hard and try to win every game. It's going to be a tough game." The Predators are 3-1-0 in their past four games and are 20-8-7 at home.

 
Coyotes projected lineup

Max Domi -- Christian Dvorak -- Radim Vrbata

Brendan Perlini -- Jordan Martinook -- Tobias Rieder

Jamie McGinn -- Peter Holland -- Anthony Duclair

Lawson Crouse -- Josh Jooris -- Teemu Pulkkinen

Oliver Ekman-Larsson -- Luke Schenn

Alex Goligoski -- Connor Murphy

Jakob Chychrun -- Zbynek Michalek

Mike Smith

Louis Domingue

Scratched: Laurent Dauphin, Anthony DeAngelo

Injured: Alexander Burmistrov (upper body), Kevin Connauton (upper body), Shane Doan (lower body)

 

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Viktor Arvidsson

Kevin Fiala -- Calle Jarnkrok -- James Neal

Colin Wilson -- Mike Fisher -- Craig Smith

Cody McLeod -- Colton Sissons -- Austin Watson

Roman Josi -- Ryan Ellis

Mattias Ekholm -- P.K. Subban

Matt Irwin -- Yannick Weber

Pekka Rinne

Juuse Saros

Scratched: Anthony Bitetto, Brad Hunt, PA Parenteau, Harry Zolnierczyk

Injured: Vernon Fiddler (upper body), Miikka Salomaki (lower body)

 

Status report

Burmistrov and Connauton took part in the Coytes' morning skate but wore non-contact jerseys. … Parenteau participated in the Predators' morning skate but did not join line rushes.

 
Who's hot

Rieder has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his past nine games. … Arvidsson has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in his past 13 games. Johansen has 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in his past 13 games.

 

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