The Vancouver Canucks (9-12-3) host the Arizona Coyotes (7-11-3), who will be out to end their losing streak, at Rogers Arena on Saturday. Arizona is coming off a high-scoring 5-3 loss against the Kings on Thursday, their third defeat in a row.
The Coyotes committed five penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Matias Maccelli, Christian Fischer, and Nick Bjugstad scored one apiece for the Coyotes. Maccelli added an assist to share the scoring lead with Dylan Guenther, who had two assists.
Karel Vejmelka only had 27 saves on 31 shots against (.870%) in the loss. Vancouver fell 5-1 to the Panthers on Thursday. Dakota Joshua was the only player to score for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko started in the loss and only had 15 saves on 18 shots (.833%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Canucks won all three games between the teams last season, including a 7-1 victory in their final meeting in April, their third straight win against Arizona. J.T. Miller led Vancouver with five points (0G 5A). Andrew Ladd scored Arizona’s only goal. Demko got the win, saving 21 of 22 shots (.954%).
FACING OFF
Arizona is averaging just 2.71 goals per game for the season, 28th in the NHL. The visitors will look to improve on that figure against a Canucks team that is allowing 3.83 goals a game (30th). Meanwhile, Vancouver has found the net 3.38 times a game on average, 12th in the league, and the Coyotes are allowing opponents to score 3.48 goals per game (24th).
Arizona averages fewer shots per game (24.1) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 11.3% shooting percentage ranks sixth. Vancouver has proven to be one of the league’s less successful shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 31 with a team save percentage of .890%. Don’t be surprised to see several power play opportunities for the Canucks, as the Coyotes are averaging 5.33 penalties per game, most in the NHL.
The visitors’ 12.14 penalty minutes a game ranks fifth-highest. The home team has been penalized 4.12 times a game (16th) for an average of 11.67 minutes (8th). The Canucks’ 26.51% power play percentage ranks seventh in the league, while the Coyotes are 16th with a conversion rate of 22.22%. Vancouver has been less impressive at penalty killing, as the home team possesses the league’s second-lowest PK% at 67.57%. Arizona’s 78.41% ranks 18th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 21 points this season, Clayton Keller is the top skater for the Coyotes. He has seven goals and 14 assists in 21 games. In the net, Vejmelka (6-5-2) is Arizona’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.97 GAA and a .916% save percentage. Elias Pettersson leads the Canucks in scoring with 27 points.
He has 11 goals and 16 assists in 24 games. Spencer Martin (6-2-1) has the best goals against average for Vancouver at 3.23. He has a save percentage of .902%. Demko (3-9-2) has played the most games in net for the Canucks this season. He has a 3.80 GAA and a .885% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is looking to reverse a three-game losing streak on the road this season. Vancouver is 3-6-1 at Rogers Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Vancouver Canucks (-210)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
