12222016doan

GLENDALE -- The Coyotes will look to snap a three-game losing skid on Friday night when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Gila River Arena in their final game before a three-day holiday break. The puck drops at 7 p.m. Arizona time.
Arizona (11-17-5) has won five straight games vs. Toronto and has posted an 11-1-1 record against the Maple Leafs in the past 13 games between the clubs. In those games, the Coyotes have outscored Toronto 47-28.

Coyotes captain Shane Doan will play in his 1,500th NHL game, joining an elite club that has only 17 members.
"It's gone by really, really fast," Doan said. "I'm so fortunate to get the opportunity. There's a lot of people who have the ability to do it but aren't given the opportunity to do it. I've been very blessed in that way."

Head Coach Dave Tippett, who played 721 NHL games, is impressed by Doan's longevity.
"The ability to do it with one franchise is pretty remarkable in today's day and age of sports," Tippett said. "It speaks volume about his commitment to team, organization, community and how good a player he's been for so long."
For the 11th straight game, Doan will take the ice needing just one goal to reach 400 for his NHL career.
"Anyone that's played this long should have had 400 (goals) a long time ago," Doan cracked after Thursday's practice. "It is what it is. I'll get it eventually and hopefully get some more."
Goalie Mike Smith will make his 10th consecutive start for Arizona, which is expected to play with seven defensemen and 11 forwards.
Center Peter Holland, who came to the Coyotes via a trade with Toronto two weeks ago, is looking to end a four-game point-less streak.
Toronto (13-12-7) beat Colorado, 6-0, on Thursday night to notch just its fourth road win of the season.
Rookie Auston Matthews, who ranks fifth in the League with 16 goals, will play his first NHL game in Arizona, the state in which he was raised and learned to play hockey. Matthews was a huge Coyotes fan while growing up and credits the team for fueling his passion for the sport.
"This is where I grew up, this is where I live," Matthews said after Friday's morning skate. "It's special coming back here and playing the team I grew up watching ... It's definitely been circled on the calendar for a while. It's going to be a great night."

Matthews is not the only rookie thriving for the Maple Leafs this season. Forward Mitch Marner ranks second among NHL freshmen with 25 points and forward William Nylander is fifth on that last with 21.
Frederik Andersen stopped all 38 shots he faced vs. the Avalanche on Thursday to notch his first shutout with the Maple Leafs. He will be back in goal again on Friday.
The Maple Leafs are 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs this season and have been outscored 22-9 in those games.

OFFICIAL GAME NOTES
BROADCAST INFO:
TV: FOX Sports Arizona
Radio: ESPN Phoenix 620 AM
COYOTES PROJECTED LINEUP VS. LEAFS:
Forwards
Rieder - Hanzal - Vrbata
McGinn - Holland - Doan
Crouse - Martinook - Duclair
Dvorak - Jooris
Defensemen
Ekman-Larsson - Murphy
Goligoski - Stone
Connauton - Schenn
DeAngelo
Goalies
Smith
Domingue