Preview: Coyotes Host Sharks on Tuesday in Second Game of Homestand

The Arizona Coyotes are back in action on Tuesday, set to host the San Jose Sharks in the second of three straight games at Mullett Arena.
Tuesday's game marks the second time San Jose and Arizona have played this season, as the Sharks won a 3-2 decision in San Jose on Dec. 13. Lawson Crouse and Nick Bjugstad scored for the Coyotes, whose rally came up just short in the game.
The two will meet once more on April 1 at Mullett Arena.

Forward Barrett Hayton, who centered Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been heating up following a slow start to the season. The 22-year-old has seven points over his last six games, and notched Arizona's only goal against the Penguins.
"Hates is a great player," forward Clayton Keller said. "He finds the open ice. I think me, him, and Schmaltzy could definitely be effective, and I'm looking forward to continuing to build some chemistry with him."
Tweet from @ArizonaCoyotes: Hayton getting things done 😤 pic.twitter.com/Z9lUbn9uSg
The trio played together at times last season, and seemingly picked up right where they left off on Sunday.
"Sometimes it might click right away, sometimes it might take a game or two," Keller said. "We had a lot of good looks last game, and we were reading off each other well, so I think that's a step in the right direction."
Tuesday also marks Keller's 400th career game, all of which have been with the Coyotes.
The Coyotes have not allowed a power-play goal over the last two games, killing off all eight opportunities against them.
Their penalty kill percentage is 24th in the league at 73.51 percent, and will be going up against a Sharks power play that ranks 20th.
"We simplified things, but the players have another level of urgency," Tourigny said. "We used more players on the PK, I think more players take pride in it, and I think we're a little bit more urgent on details, urgent with the way our opponent was attacking us, and I think that made a difference."

Though starting lineups were not available prior to posting, Karel Vejmelka is expected to get the nod in net again tonight after starting Sunday's game against the Penguins. The 26-year-old is 6-1-2 with a 2.92 goals-against average and .914 save percentage at Mullett Arena this season.
Player to Watch: Hayton has two goals in six career games against the Sharks, and could do some more damage tonight against a Sharks team that has allowed nine goals over its last two games.
ABOUT THE SHARKS
San Jose is just one point ahead of Arizona with 32 points on the season, though the Coyotes currently have two games in hand.
The Sharks are 2-5-3 over their last 10 games, and have dropped two straight. They have actually performed better on the road this season, however, as their 8-10-2 mark away from home is a stark contrast to their 4-11-6 record in San Jose.
"San Jose is a team that creates a lot of offense," Tourigny said. "They're really good around the net. We will need to match that. We will need to be good defensively. To make sure we battle hard in front of our net, and offensively we need to make sure we have possession of the puck."
San Jose is led by Defenseman Erik Karlsson's 54 points and 41 assists, while winger Timo Meier's 23 goals are tops on the team.
Between the pipes, goalies James Reimer and Kaapo Kahkonen have split time recently. Reimer is 7-12-3 with a 3.22 goals-against average and .895 save percentage, while Kahkonen is 4-7-4 with a 3.79 GAA and .869 SV%.
Player to Watch:Forward Tomas Hertl is quietly having a very good season, posting 13 goals and 24 assists in 39 games this season. The 29-year-old forward scored against the Coyotes earlier this season, and has 19 goals and 15 assists in 39 career games against Arizona.