A lengthy four day break in action ends tonight with a visit from the Arizona Coyotes. It will mark the second game in a row against an opponent who may also be a trade partner. Three games, including tonight, separate us from the trade deadline. Intrigue is upon us.
The Numbers
[table id=TS02G60 /] [table id=IS02G60 /] [table id=GM02G60 /]* – Stats are courtesy of Corsica.Hockey, War-on-Ice.com, Puckalytics.com and Hockey-Reference.com
Projected Lineups
[table id=PF02G60 /] [table id=PD02G60 /] [table id=PG02G34 /] [table id=OF02G60 /] [table id=OD02G60 /] [table id=OG02G60 /]The Hat Trick
Ask And You Shall Receive: I gushed about wanting to see Bjugstad and Rau together on the same line. Little did I know I would get just that in Rau’s first game. However, I would have preferred that it did not come at the expense of Jonathan Huberdeau. Nothing can be done about that now though, and it appears Rau will remain on Bjugstad’s line. I am all about it based on what I saw Saturday night. Rau fit right in, getting double shifted in Huberdeau’s absence. It would have been easy to come unglued in your first NHL game. Rau instead brought a bombastic energy to the front line, yet never got reckless. He played a smart game, jumped into the play when needed, and backed off when called for.
Now, he gets a set spot on Bjugstad’s wing, along with Logan Shaw, to start tonight’s game. I’m pulling for more of what we saw Saturday night.
Bark Back: Don’t look now, but Aleksander Barkov has returned. We are unabashed Barkov fans here, so this is a happy occasion. He was knocked out of the lineup by Justin Abdelkaeder two and a half weeks ago in a 3-0 loss to the Red Wings at the Joe. They have compiled a 3-2-1 record in his absence. Also returning tonight is Erik Gudbranson. I am generally happy about this, but what I am not happy about is the scratching of Mike Matheson. I don’t see why you wouldn’t play him over, say, Steven Kampfer. We all ready know what Kampfer is all about, but we’ve seen Matheson literally once in the NHL. He played well in his first game too. We need to see more. If he is up, then he needs to play, and if he doesn’t play, he needs to return to Portland. There is no sense parking him in the press box.
In The Desert: This season is not quite like the last couple for the Coyotes. They were expected to be a major player for local boy Auston Matthews after finishing third in the Connor McDavid/Jack Eichel sweepstakes last season. Yet, the Coyotes have flirted with a Top 3 spot in the Pacific Division at times this season. However, that’s more a testament to how bad their division is rather than how good the Coyotes are. They currently sit 4th in their division, but are a .500 hockey club. As a result, they are likely to sell in the next few days. Mikkel Boedker is the most mentioned name coming out of Phoenix. Some mention Shane Doan, but with how long he’s stuck around, I doubt he gets moved now. That ship set sail a long time ago.
Closing Thoughts
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