Arizona has earned 10 of 14 possible points this preseason by posting a 4-1-2 record. That co-leads the NHL with three other teams for most preseason points.
With roster cuts looming after the game, tonight's contest represents a final chance for players looking to make the Opening Night roster to impress coaches and management. There are 32 players still in training camp and only 23 will make the roster.
"We've got a lot of players pushing for playing time," Head Coach Dave Tippett said. "Some players know they have to continue to get their game up to speed and this is their last chance to do that."
Mike Smith will start in goal for the Coyotes and the plan is for him to play the entire game. Smith has stopped 85 of 90 shots in three games this preseason. Louis Domingue will serve as Smith's backup.
Arizona will play minus forwards Jamie McGinn (upper-body injury), Christian Dvorak (lower-body injury) and Tobias Rieder (visa issues).
Prospects Dylan Strome, Lawson Crouse, Laurent Dauphin, Christian Fischer and Jakob Chychrun all are in the lineup looking to make one last impression before the next round of roster cuts.
"I'm really excited for another opportunity and to make it hard on them to send me home," said Chychrun, the youngest of the prospects at just 18 years old.
Tonight's game can be heard on ESPN Phoenix 620 AM and can be watched via live stream at ArizonaCoyotes.com (in the Phoenix market only).
Coyotes lineup tonight:
Tonight's game can be heard on ESPN Phoenix 620 AM and can be watched via live stream at ArizonaCoyotes.com (in the Phoenix market only).Coyotes lineup vs. Sharks:
FORWARDS
Max Domi - Martin Hanzal - Radim Vrbata
Lawson Crouse - Dylan Strome - Anthony Duclair
Jordan Martinook - Brad Richardson - Shane Doan
Ryan White - Laurent Dauphin - Christian Fischer
DEFENSEMEN
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Connor Murphy
Alex Goligoski - Luke Schenn
Jakob Chychrun - Jamie McBain
GOALIES
Mike Smith
Louis Domingue
