Friday marks the second and final game between Arizona and Boston this season, as the Bruins won the first meeting 6-3 on Oct. 15.
Clayton Keller leads the Coyotes with 22 points, and also has a four-game point streak against Boston. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has had the hot hand recently with eight points in his last seven games, including two goals and two assists over his last three games.
Tweet from @ArizonaCoyotes: Ghost doing Ghost things. pic.twitter.com/tdhpNWk3tu
Though starting lineups were not yet available, Karel Vejmelka will likely start in net tonight. He has posted a 6-7-3 record with 3.03 goals-against average and .912 save percentage this season, and has been in net for Arizona's last five wins.
Head coach André Tourigny said the Coyotes need to focus more on playing to their strengths tonight following Wednesday's loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
"We need to focus on us and bring our 'A' game," he said. "We need to play a really good game in our identity, and our strength, and from there, we'll see where that leads."
The Coyotes will be without rookie Dylan Guenther, who was loaned to Team Canada for the upcoming 2023 World Junior Championship. The 19-year-old has 11 points in 21 games with Arizona this season.
Tweet from @ArizonaCoyotes: We could watch it over and over. 🔁 pic.twitter.com/l8fk0PbyHY
Player to Watch: Jakob Chychrun continues to play well since making his season debut on Nov. 21, logging seven points in eight games. He's recorded a point in three consecutive games, including a two-point night against the Calgary Flames on Dec. 5.
ABOUT THE BRUINS
The Bruins are 4-0-1 in their last five games, including their most recent 4-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday
Boston boasts the league's best record (21-3-1), winning percentage (.860) and goals-against per game (2.08) while presenting a very balanced scoring attack. Entering Friday the team has 12 players with 11-or-more points, led by 26-year-old forward David Pastrnak's 36.
That total is split evenly down the middle with 18 goals and 18 assists, which also lead the team.
Former Coyotes forward Taylor Hall has 20 points in 25 games this season, and most recently recorded a three-point night against the Avalanche on Wednesday.
Though starting lineups were not yet available, backup Jeremy Swayman earned the win against the Coyotes earlier this season, and has a 2.63 GAA and .899 SV% in nine games this season. The 24-year-old is 5-2-1 in nine games this season, and is 3-1-1 in his last five games.
Player to Watch: As mentioned earlier, Swayman was in net when the Coyotes and Bruins met in Boston earlier this season, stopping 21 of the 24 shots he saw en route to the win. He'll be looking to bounce back after dropping his last start, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, though he recovered nicely after allowing the first three goals of the game.
