Arizona looks to cap its road stretch in the New York Metropolitan area with a win when they take on reigning Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, Chris Kreider, and the New York Rangers on Saturday night (Jan. 22). The contest is the Coyotes' first at Madison Square Garden since Oct. 22, 2019 (3-2 W, OT). Puck drop with the Rangers is set for 5 p.m.
PACK FACTS
Saturday is the second of two regular-season tilts the Coyotes have with the Rangers in 2021-22. The Blue Shirts captured the first game in Arizona by a 3-2 score back on Dec. 15.
The Yotes have beaten the Rangers in overtime the last two trips to Madison Square Garden. The franchise has defeated the Rangers three straight times in their building once before, a streak spanning the 1983-85 seasons.
Clayton Keller factored into both Coyotes goals in the first meeting this year, recording a goal and an assist. The winger has posted 3-4-7 in six career showings versus the Rangers. Keller also picked up an assist on Arizona's overtime goal in the Oct. 22, 2019 victory.
Nick Schmaltz has registered at least a point in all six games he's played the Rangers in his career, totaling 1-9-10. He extended his personal point streak to six when he chipped in an assist in the Dec. 15 game at Gila River Arena. Like Keller, Schmaltz earned an assist on a Coyotes overtime goal at MSG, with his coming in the Dec. 14, 2018 win.
Expected to get the start in goal tonight, Karel Vejmelka holds an NHL-best .947 SV% and 1.85 GAA on the road among goalies to play in at least 10 away games. The rookie enters tonight a winner in each of his last three road games, posting a 0.66 goals against average and a, .983 save percentage that stretch. A Coyotes netminder has not won four straight road appearances since Darcy Kuemper won five straight from Dec. 3, 2019 - March 4, 2020.
The Coyotes franchise is 28-42-6-6 all-time against the Rangers, but are 3-1-1 in their last five games against them.
A LOOK AT THE RANGERS
The Rangers (26-11-4, 56 pts) return home after losing to the Hurricanes last night in Raleigh. Igor Shesterkin is expected to get the start in the crease against the Coyotes. He enters Saturday leading the NHL in save percentage (.938) and goals against average (tied, 2.03) among netminders with at least 15 games played. Defenseman Adam Fox's 43 points (7-36-43) shares the League-lead among defensemen and has posted seven points (2-5-7) in his last four games. The Rangers have scored 27 goals in the first period this season, but 41 and 51 in periods two and three, respectively.
MILESTONES TO WATCH
Lawson Crouse: Four points from 100 career NHL points.
Alex Galchenyuk: Two assists from 200 career NHL assists.
Phil Kessel: One multi-assist game from 100 career NHL multi-assist games.
Phil Kessel: One game from 50 career games against the Rangers.
Anton Stralman: One even-strength point from 200 career NHL even-strength points.
KEY CONNECTIONS
Ex-Coyotes
• Jarred Tinordi (2015-16)
• Dryden Hunt (2020-21)
Ex-Rangers
• Anton Stralman (2011-14)
Bill Armstrong was an Amateur Scout with the St. Louis Blues when they drafted Ryan Reaves in 2005.
Shayne Gostisbehere and Alex Galchenyuk won a gold medal with Jacob Trouba representing Team USA at the 2013 World Junior Championship… Gostisbehere had Gord Murphy as an assistant coach in Philadelphia from 2015-19.
Clayton Keller played with Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren at the USNTDP from 2014-16…Also won a gold medal with both of them at the 2017 World Junior Championship.
Phil Kessel skated with Ryan Reaves and Greg McKegg in Pittsburgh in 2017-18.
Andrew Ladd was teammates Jacob Trouba in Winnipeg from 2013-16…Also teammates with Ryan Strome on the New York Islanders in 2016-17.
Johan Larsson won a gold medal with Mika Zibanejad and Patrik Nemeth representing Team Sweden at the 2012 World Junior Championship.
Nick Schmaltz was teammates with Artemi Panarin in Chicago in 2016-17.
André Tourigny had Jim Midgley on his coaching staff with the 2016-17 Halifax Mooseheads.
Scott Wedgewood played with Kevin Rooney in the New Jersey Devils organization from 2015-17.
