Coyotes Continue Home Stand Against Blues
The Arizona Coyotes welcome the St. Louis Blues into town on Tuesday night in game two of their six game home stand.
Arizona started off the 2015 calendar year off on the right beat with a 6-3 victory against the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Martin Hanzal led the charge with a goal and three assists (tying a career-high with four points), while Sam Gagner netted two shots and added an assist of his own.
Mike Smith made 23 saves in his first victory since early December. “It’s been a pretty good year so far,” Smith said after the first and only game of 2015. The victory was the fourth consecutive victory for the Coyotes (15-19-4) at home.
Jan 2, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) makes a save on Columbus Blue Jackets right wing
Cam Atkinson(13) as defenseman
Rostislav Klesla(16) defends during the second period at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
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Smith currently carries a 3.46 goals against average which ranks worst amongst NHL goalies with at least 20 starts in net.
Just like the Coyotes, the Blues are also coming off of a victory. St. Louis absolutely obliterated the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, 7-2 as T.J. Oshie finished with his second career hat trick. Oshie’s third goal came on a strange bounce and ended up going behind the Sharks’ goalie.
It was the Blues’ second win in eight contests as they have slowed down since a great early-season stretch. The Blues are bolstered by numerous goal scorers as eight skaters have at least seven goals on the year.
Vladimir Tarasenko is leading the Blues in goals (22), points (41), and plus/minus (+19) and will definitely be a key catalyst in the Coyotes’ defensive game plan.
St. Louis (23-13-3) has had more success this year due to their number-one ranked power play unit (24.4%). The Blues were four of four on the power play against the Coyotes in their last matchup. It was the first time since 2009 that an NHL team was perfect on the power play with at least four power play opportunities.
Pair the Blues number-one power play and the Coyotes 30th-ranked penalty kill (75.2%) and the Coyotes could be in some serious trouble.
The puck will drop for the Coyotes and Blues at 7:00 p.m. MST in Glendale, Ariz.