Both teams will be hoping to snap losing runs when the Arizona Coyotes (6-9-2) travel to face the Carolina Hurricanes (10-5-4) at PNC Arena on Wednesday. Arizona is coming off a 4-3 shootout loss against the Predators on Monday, their fourth straight defeat.
The Coyotes committed nine penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Nick Bjugstad led the Coyotes with two goals. Connor Ingram had a terrific performance with 42 saves (.933%) in the loss.
Carolina dropped their third straight game, falling 4-3 (OT) to the Jets on Monday. Andrei Svechnikov, Martin Necas, and Jaccob Slavin scored one apiece for the Hurricanes. Sebastian Aho had three assists to lead the team in scoring. Pyotr Kochetkov saved only 19 of 23 shots against (.826%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Hurricanes won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-3 victory in their final meeting in April, their fifth straight win against Arizona. Max Domi (1G 1A), Nino Niederreiter (1G 1A), and Brett Pesce (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Carolina. Kyle Capobianco led Arizona with two points (0G 2A). Antti Raanta got the win despite saving only 23 of 26 shots (.884%).
FACING OFF
Arizona is averaging 2.59 goals per game for the season, 29th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Hurricanes team that is allowing 2.74 goals a game (10th). Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 2.84 times a game on average, 24th in the league, and the Coyotes are allowing opponents to score 3.59 goals per game (27th).
Carolina averages more shots per game (35.2) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth, though the team’s 8.4% shooting percentage is 31st. With an average of 24.2 attempts, Arizona ranks 32nd. Don’t be surprised to see several power play opportunities for the Hurricanes, as the Coyotes are averaging 5.35 penalties per game, second-most in the NHL.
The visitors’ 12.00 penalty minutes a game ranks sixth-highest. The home team has been penalized 3.89 times a game (21st) for an average of 7.95 minutes (25th).
The Hurricanes’ 14.29% power play percentage is the second-worst in the league, while the Coyotes rank seventh with a conversion rate of 26.67%. In terms of defending power plays, Arizona has the league’s 11th-ranked PK% at 80.82%, while Carolina is 17th at 78.79%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 18 points this season, Clayton Keller is the top skater for the Coyotes. He has seven goals and 11 assists in 17 games. In the net, Karel Vejmelka (5-5-1) is Arizona’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 3.23 GAA and a .909% save percentage. Necas and Aho lead the Hurricanes in scoring with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Necas has nine goals and 14 assists in 19 games, while Aho has nine goals and 13 assists. Raanta (3-2-2) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.54. He has a save percentage of .902%.
Frederik Andersen (5-3-0) has played the most games in net for the Hurricanes this season. He has a 2.72 GAA and a .891% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is looking to avoid a fifth consecutive road loss this season. Carolina is 4-2-1 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (-140)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
