Avalanche and Coyotes Clash Before NHL's Holiday Break

The Colorado Avalanche plays its last game before the three-day NHL Holiday Break on Saturday evening, taking on the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. It's the first of three meetings between the two teams, who will meet again in less than a week when Arizona visits Pepsi Center on Dec. 27.
The Avs were 1-2-0 against the Coyotes last season with their victory coming on the road in the first meeting of the three-game season series. Colorado is 42-27-10 in 79 all-time meetings against the Arizona franchise, including a 21-15-4 record on the road.

Last Time Out

Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche struck first but ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Kings in overtime on Thursday night at Staples Center. Gabriel Landeskog scored the game's opening goal in the second period, but the Kings answered in the third to force the extra frame, the sixth time this season that Colorado has played an overtime period. Dustin Brown buried a shot just 44 seconds into the overtime stanza to secure the win for the Western Conference's top team.
Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes topped the Washington Capitals 3-2 in overtime on Friday night. Christian Fischer scored the game-tying goal with just over a minute left in regulation, and Clayton Keller buried the winning marker with 27 seconds left in overtime to lift Arizona to the win. The Coyotes outshot Washington 27-17, including a 10-5 margin in the third period as they rallied from 1-0 deficit after 40 minutes of play.

Last Time They Met

Mike Smith made 22 saves to lead Arizona to a 1-0 shutout win over the Avalanche at Gila River Arena on March 13. Brendan Perlini scored the game's only goal early in the second period. The Coyotes held a 35-22 advantage in shots and held Colorado scoreless on three power-play opportunities.

What to Watch

Two Top PK's
Colorado's penalty kill finished 3-for-3 against Los Angeles on Thursday night, extending its streak to a season-high 19 consecutive kills. The Avs penalty kill is 102-for-124 (82.3%) this season, which ranks 11th in the league, but Colorado's killing unit has come on strong in the month of December, going 34-for-36 (94.4%), which is tied for first in the NHL.
The Coyotes' penalty kill since Oct. 31 has been the best in the NHL, going 58-for-65 in that span. Arizona killed two Washington penalties in Friday night's win.
Johnson Returns
Defenseman Erik Johnson returns to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension for boarding Tampa Bay forward Vladislav Namestnikov during a game on Dec. 16. Johnson is Colorado's leader in ice time at 25:38, which ranks eighth among league blueliners. His four goals are tied with Tyson Barrie for tops among Avalanche defensemen.

Player to Watch

Colorado: Right Wing Mikko Rantanen
Rantanen enters Saturday's game on a five-game point streak (1g, 5a), which is a career high for the young forward. He registered an assist on Gabriel Landeskog's tally on Thursday night and has 10 goals and 30 points this season, which ranks third and second, respectively, on the team.
Arizona: Center Clayton Keller
Keller potted the overtime winner for the Coyotes on Friday night, his team-leading eighth goal on home ice this season, and assisted on the tying marker. He enters Saturday's contest riding a four-game point streak (2g, 3a).

The Details

Saturday's game between the Avs and Coyotes begins at 6 p.m. MT and can be watched live on Altitude 2. The radio broadcast can be heard on Altitude Sports Radio AM950 or online at ColoradoAvalanche.com.