Forwards Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton are in the midst 10 and nine game point streaks, respectively, and the duo has recorded 16 goals and 19 assists in the month of March. The Coyotes have earned at least one point in nine of their last 10 games, losing in regulation just once since March 3.
Tweet from @ArizonaCoyotes: FACT: Clayton Keller can do anything. pic.twitter.com/tISmM8qyZC
Goalie Karel Vejmelka is likely to get the nod tonight, and Arizona's netminder has gone 3-2-0 over his last five starts. He was last in net in Arizona's 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday -- where he stopped 23 of 25 shots -- and is 18-20-5 with a 3.33 goals-against average and .904 save percentage this season.
Player to Watch: Forward Nick Schmaltz sits just one goal shy of 100 of his career, and is heating up with four points (all assists) over his last three games. The 27-year-old has five goals and seven assists in 25 games against the Avalanche.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE
Colorado is third in the Central Division, and had won six straight prior to a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. The defending Stanley Cup champions are set to receive a boost to their lineup as well, as star defenseman Cale Makar is set to return after missing the team's last two games with an injury.
Center Nathan MacKinnon notched an assists against the Penguins to reach 90 points on the season, marking the fourth such season in his career. The 27-year-old former first-overall pick (2013) leads the team in both points and assists (60), while winger Mikko Rantanen's 47 goals are tops.
Rantanen also has one goal and two assists against the Coyotes this season.
Alexandar Georgiev has started 10 of the last 11 games for Colorado, and is 32-15-5 with a 2.56 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. The Avs have fielded five different netminders at various points of the season due to injuries, but Jonas Johansson was backup against Pittsburgh.
The 27-year-old has appeared in just two games with Colorado this season, going 1-0-0 with a 2.88 GAA and .907 SV%.
Player to Watch: The Avs have plenty of offensive firepower available, but keep an eye on J.T. Compher, who has one goal and three assists in his last three games. He has two assists against the Coyotes this season.
