Two of the league’s most penalized teams are set to face off at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, as the Arizona Coyotes (13-23-5) are on the road to face the Minnesota Wild (23-14-4). Arizona is coming off a high-scoring 5-3 loss against the Senators on Thursday, their seventh consecutive defeat.
The Coyotes committed six penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Dylan Guenther, Lawson Crouse, and Barrett Hayton scored one apiece for the Coyotes. Guenther added an assist to lead the team in scoring.
Karel Vejmelka had 42 saves in the loss. Minnesota beat the Islanders 3-1 on Thursday. Kirill Kaprizov, Frederick Gaudreau, and Sam Steel each scored once for the Wild. Kaprizov added an assist to share the scoring lead with Mats Zuccarello, who had two assists. Filip Gustavsson saved 19 of 20 shots in the win (.950%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Wild won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-3 victory in November. Kaprizov led Minnesota with three points (1G 2A). Matias Maccelli led Arizona with two points (0G 2A). Marc-Andre Fleury got the win despite allowing three goals on 23 shots (.869%).
FACING OFF
Arizona is averaging 2.73 goals per game for the season, 28th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Wild team that is allowing 2.80 goals a game (10th). Meanwhile, Minnesota has found the net 3.15 times a game on average, 18th in the league, and the Coyotes are allowing opponents to score 3.71 goals per game (28th).
Arizona averages fewer shots a game (25.1) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 11.0% shooting percentage ranks eighth. Minnesota’s average of 31.5 attempts ranks 17th.
Don’t be surprised to see several power play opportunities in this matchup, as the Coyotes and Wild have more penalties per game than most teams in the NHL.
The Wild have been penalized 4.61 times a game on average (28th), while the Coyotes are averaging 4.73 penalties, second-most in the league. The Wild’s 22.90% power play percentage ranks 13th in the league, while the Coyotes are 22nd with a conversion rate of 20.00%.
When it comes to defending power plays, Minnesota has the league’s 14th-ranked PK% at 79.29%, while Arizona is 24th at 73.89%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 37 points this season, Clayton Keller is the top skater for the Coyotes. He has 14 goals and 23 assists in 41 games. In the net, Vejmelka (11-14-4) is Arizona’s top goaltender. He has a 3.35 GAA and a .902% save percentage.
Kaprizov leads the Wild in scoring with 51 points. He has 25 goals (9th) and 26 assists. Gustavsson (9-6-1) has the best goals against average for Minnesota at 2.25, second-best in the league.
He has a save percentage of .924%, fourth-best. Fleury (13-8-3) has played the most games in net for the Wild this season. He has a 2.93 GAA and a .902% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is looking to avoid a 13th successive road loss this season. Minnesota is 12-8-1 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Minnesota Wild -1.5 (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
