Pre-Game Capsule: Coyotes vs. Capitals

GAME 37:
Coyotes (7-24-5) vs. Capitals (22-12-1)
Arizona will play the first of back-to-back home games on Friday night when it hosts Washington in Glendale.

WHERE: Gila River Arena
WHEN: 7 p.m. (AZ time)
TV: FOX Sports Arizona
RADIO:Arizona Sports 98.7 FM

KEY FACTS:
• Arizona is 5-0-1 vs. Washington in the past six games played between the teams in Glendale. The Caps haven't defeated the Coyotes in Arizona since Jan. 16, 2006.
• The Coyotes have posted a 3-1-1 record in the first game of back-to-back games this season. The Colorado Avalanche will follow Washington into Gila River Arena on Saturday night.
• Backup goalie Scott Wedgewood will make his first start since Dec. 10. He's stopped 63 of 67 shots vs. Washington in two career appearances for a .940 save percentage.

• Josh Archibald, whom the Coyotes acquired from Pittsburgh via a trade on Tuesday, is expected to make his debut. Archibald, who skated on a line with center Christian Dvorak and winger Zac Rinaldo at Thursday's practice, has scored three NHL goals, and two of those came at Gila River Arena on Feb. 11 of this year when he skated for the Pittsburgh Penguins in just his second NHL game.
"He's a hard worker," Tocchet said of Archibald, whom he coached last season when both were with Pittsburgh. "If you tell him to do something, like system-wise, he's going to do it. He came from a winning program. Even when he was in Wilkes Barre (AHL) they won a lot. I think he knows how to do the little things and he's looking for a chance to play. This is the perfect environment for him right now ... He's a detail kid and he gives you 100 percent every night."

• Rookie Clayton Keller will enter the game with a three-game point streak that includes a goal and two assists. Keller ranks tied for second among NHL rookies in goals (12) and third in points (26).
• Christian Dvorak is averaging a point per game vs. Washington over three career games, including two goals in the game played March 31, 2017 at Gila River Arena. Dvorak is looking to end a five-game pointless streak.
• The Capitals have won four games in a row and have earned 45 points this season, the second most among Eastern Conference teams. Washington is 8-1-0 in December, with 36 goals for and just 21 goals against this month. Alex Ovechkin leads the team and ranks tied for first in the NHL with 23 goals. John Carlson's 26 points are tied for third among NHL defensemen. Goalie Braden Holtby is 4-1-0 vs. Arizona with a 2.40 goals-against average. Head Coach Barry Trotz has 735 wins, one shy from tying Lindy Ruff for fifth place on the NHL's all-time coaching wins list.
COYOTE BITES:
• "It's a lot of fun to play against Washington. Alex Ovechkin is a superstar in this League and has been for a long time. At the same time, they also have Nicklas Backstrom and Andre Burakovsky and a lot of other talented players. It's a high-skill team and you have to constantly be aware regardless of who is on the ice. Obviously, we haven't been playing good enough. I thought we were going to gain some energy just by being home more and sleeping in our own beds, but that hasn't happened, so we have to step it up this weekend because we've got two games in two nights. We need wins. That would be huge for us heading into the Christmas break." -- Oliver Ekman-Larsson
• "I've been a pro for three and a half years. I haven't been in the NHL all that time, but hopefully I can bring some leadership qualities to these younger guys. I'm just looking to bring some energy, use my speed, be tenacious and win one-on-one battles. I'm excited to get into this lineup. It doesn't matter who I play with, I'm going to play the same way; get in on pucks, forecheck, backcheck, and finish my hits. We'll see what happens from there." -- Josh Archibald on making debut with Coyotes
• "He's a great player. I've coached against him for years and saw what he can do. He's a game breaker. He's a beast. His shot is probably one of the best shots in the League, obviously. He's hungry and they're playing well. " -- Rick Tocchet on Alex Ovechkin