The Arizona Coyotes (21-31-9) host the Carolina Hurricanes (39-12-8) at Mullett Arena on Friday. Carolina is coming off a 3-2 loss against the Golden Knights on Wednesday. The Hurricanes committed only one penalty in the game, holding Vegas without a power play goal.
Martin Necas and Jordan Staal each scored once for the Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen saved only 17 of 20 shots against (.850%) in the loss.Arizona is returning home for a four-game homestand after a 4-2 loss against the Stars on Wednesday.
Barrett Hayton and Clayton Keller both scored once for the Coyotes. Juuso Valimaki had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Connor Ingram saved only 37 of 41 shots against (.902%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Coyotes won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-0 victory in November. Lawson Crouse (2G 0A), Shayne Gostisbehere (0G 2A), and Dylan Guenther (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Arizona. Karel Vejmelka saved 36 shots to earn the shutout win.
FACING OFF
Carolina is averaging 3.34 goals per game for the season, 10th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Coyotes team that is allowing 3.49 goals a game (24th).
Meanwhile, Arizona has found the net 2.67 times a game on average, 28th in the league, and won’t find goals any easier to come by against the Hurricanes’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.58 goals per game (2nd).
Carolina averages more shots (35.1) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 9.7% shooting percentage is 20th. Arizona’s average of 25.7 attempts ranks 32nd.
Look for multiple power play opportunities for the Hurricanes, as the Coyotes have been penalized 4.48 times a game, fourth-most in the NHL, for an average of 10.85 minutes (seventh-highest).
The visitors are averaging 3.76 penalties (19th-fewest in the league) and 7.95 penalty minutes a game (5th-fewest).The Hurricanes’ 19.37% power play percentage ranks 23rd in the league, while the Coyotes are 24th with a conversion rate of 18.92%. When it comes to defending power plays, Carolina has the league’s sixth-ranked PK% at 82.83%, while Arizona is 26th at 75.00%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Necas and Sebastian Aho have been the top skaters for the Hurricanes this season with 53 and 52 points. In the net, Antti Raanta (15-2-3) is Carolina’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.32 GAA, fifth-best in the league, and a .908% save percentage.Keller leads the Coyotes in scoring with 59 points.
He has 25 goals and 34 assists. Ingram (5-12-4) has the best goals against average for Arizona at 3.30. He has a save percentage of .908%. Vejmelka (16-18-5) has played the most games in net for the Coyotes this season. He has a 3.32 GAA and a .904% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Carolina is 18-5-6 away from PNC Arena this season. Arizona is 14-10-2 at Mullett Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
