The Arizona Coyotes (1-4-0) travel to face the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-4-0) at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday. Arizona is coming off a high-scoring 6-2 loss against the Senators on Saturday. The Coyotes committed seven penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther both scored once for the Coyotes.
Karel Vejmelka saved only 26 of 32 shots against (.812%) in the loss. Columbus beat the Rangers 5-1 on Sunday. Five players found the net for the Blue Jackets. Daniil Tarasov was impressive in the win, making 30 saves (.967%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blue Jackets won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-4 (SO) victory in their final meeting in November. Four players had two points for Columbus. Jakob Chychrun led Arizona with two points (1G 1A). Elvis Merzlikins got the win despite saving only 25 of 29 shots (.862%).
FACING OFF
Arizona is averaging 2.60 goals per game so far this season, 28th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 3.86 goals a game (26th). Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 3.14 times a game on average, 20th in the league, and the Coyotes are allowing opponents to score 5.20 goals per game (31st).
Arizona averages fewer shots (24.0) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 10.8% shooting percentage ranks 11th. Columbus’ average of 30.4 attempts ranks 19th. The Blue Jackets’ 0.00% power play percentage is the worst in the league, while the Coyotes rank seventh with a conversion rate of 28.57%.
When it comes to penalty killing, Columbus has the league’s eighth-ranked PK% at 85.71%, while Arizona is 22nd at 73.68%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With five points this season, Shayne Gostisbehere is the top skater for the Coyotes. He has two goals and three assists in five games. In the net, Vejmelka (1-3-0) is Arizona’s top goaltender. He has a 4.77 GAA and a .877% save percentage.
Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with seven points. He has four goals (8th) and three assists in seven games. Tarasov (1-2-0) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.33. He has a save percentage of .912%.
Merzlikins (2-2-0) has played the most games in net for the Blue Jackets this season. He has a 4.20 GAA and a .864% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is 1-4-0 on the road this season. Columbus is 2-2-0 at Nationwide Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Columbus Blue Jackets (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
