Preview: Arizona Welcomes St. Louis to the Valley for Home Opener
Coyotes enter Monday winners of their last two against the Blues
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After beginning the season on the road, the Arizona Coyotes are set to take on the St. Louis Blues in the home opener on Monday (Oct. 18). Picking up where they left off last year as divisional opponents, the Yotes took five of eight head-to-head matchups last season when the clubs were a part of the Honda West Division. Seven of the eight games were played in a 13-day span in February, with the exception being the most recent head-to-head tilt that took place on April 17 - a 3-2 Coyotes win.
PACK FACTS
Monday's matchup is Arizona's first inter-division game as a member of the current Central Division. The franchise competed in the League's Central Division as the Winnipeg Jets from 1993-96 and as the Phoenix Coyotes from 1996-98.
The 2021-22 season marks the fifth stint of the Coyotes and Blues franchises being divisional opponents. Both competed in the Smythe Division from 1979-81, the Norris Division from 1981-82, Central Division from 1993-98, as well as in last year's Honda West Division.
The Coyotes' franchise is 67-72-18-4 all-time against St. Louis, including 11-4-2 since the start of 2017-18.
Head Coach André Tourigny has given each of his goaltenders a start in the Yotes' first two games. On Saturday, Karel Vejmelka registered 32 saves to share the fourth-highest total in an NHL debut in franchise history. Since relocating to Arizona, Vejmelka is only the second Coyotes goalie to log 30-plus saves in his NHL debut.
Andrew Ladd on Saturday became the Coyotes' third player to score a goal, a tally that was the 250th of his career.
Jakob Chychrun logged 27:30 of ice time on Saturday, giving him an average of 25:25 through two games. Entering Monday, that figure slots in at 16th in the NHL on the young season.
A LOOK AT THE BLUES
St. Louis (1-0-0, 2 pts) comes into Gila River Arena two days after winning its season opener by a score of 5-3 in Colorado. David Perron, Jordan Kyrou and Justin Faulk each chipped in two points while Jordan Binnington saved 29-of-32 Avalanche shots. Perron led the Blues in scoring last season with 58 points (19-39-58) and has compiled nine points (5-4-9) in his last four games dating back to last year - including five goals in his last three outings.
MILESTONES TO WATCH
Ryan Dzingel…1 assist from…100 career NHL assists
Clayton Keller…1 goal from…70 career NHL goals
NOTABLE CONNECTIONS
Ex-Coyotes
• Mike Van Ryn (Development Coach, 2016-17)
Ex-Blues
• Bill Armstrong (Scout, 2004-10; Director of Amateur Scouting, 2010-18; Assistant General Manager, 2018-20)
• Dmitrij Jaskin (2012-18)
• Cory Stillman (2000-03)
Jakob Chychrun played with Jordan Kyrou for the Sarnia Sting (2014-16) and for Team Canada at the 2018 U-18 World Championship.
Mario Duhamel was the Colorado Avalanche video coach while Ryan O'Reilly was on the team from 2013-15.
Shayne Gostisbehere suited up for Team North America with Brandon Saad and Colton Parayko at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey … Skated with Brayden Schenn in Philadelphia from 2014-17.
Loui Eriksson played with James Neal in Dallas (2008-11) … Had Doug Armstrong as his General Manager in Dallas during the 2006-08 seasons.
Phil Housley coached Ryan O'Reilly in Buffalo during the 2017-18 season.
Carter Hutton was teammates with James Neal in Nashville (2015-16).
Phil Kessel skated with Tyler Bozak in Toronto (2009-15) … Played with David Perron in Pittsburgh for part of the 2015-16 season.
Andrew Ladd played with James Neal and Ryan O'Reilly for Team Canada at the 2011 and 2013 World Championships, respectively.
Johan Larsson played with Ryan O'Reilly and Marco Scandella in Buffalo from 2015-18 and 2017-20, respectively…Also played with Scandella in the Wild's organization in 2012-13.
Ilya Lyubushkin won a bronze medal for Russia with Pavel Buchnevich and Ivan Barbashev at the 2014 World Junior Championship.
Liam O'Brien was a teammate of Brandon Saad in Colorado for part of last year.
Nick Schmaltz played with Brandon Saad in Chicago during the 2017-19 campaigns.
Conor Timmins captured gold with Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas representing Team Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championship.
André Tourigny was an assistant coach in Colorado while Ryan O'Reilly was on the team (2013-15).
