The Nashville Predators head to the desert tonight to face the Arizona Coyotes, who have been having a good March after a horrendous February.
Their play is still up and down, but a real run of bad goaltending luck has steadied out again, with both Connor Ingram and Karel Vejmelka continuing to turn in good performances on the season. While Ingram’s .908 sv% and Vejmelka’s .900 don’t look noteworthy on paper, the Coyotes have been defensively wobbly, and both goalies have been busy.
Clayton Keller remains the standout leader in goals (30) and points (63), and trails Matias Maccelli in assists, 33 to 36. Nick Schmaltz and Lawson Crouse tie for second in goals, with 20, and Schmaltz’s 52 points trail Keller’s and lead Maccelli’s 48. Meanwhile, defender Juuso Välimäki is one of the team’s best shutdown regulars, while Nick Bjugstad has been a great play-driver.
The Coyotes could use some play-driving, as they’ve struggled to get to the front of the net at any strength. Their moderately decent goalscoring and above-average power play success rate are impressive testimonials to the skill, and the good luck, of their skaters. They’ve been doing this all season, so, as I said last time, it’s not all luck; there’s some real talent in the young core there.
Tonight’s game will be in the college barn of Mullett Arena–expect a loud and lively time from a very determined fanbase. Puck drop is at 9PM Central, and the game airs on Bally Sports South.
Statistics from naturalstattrick.com. Additional background from hockeyviz.com.