Rookie Boo Nieves will play in his first game of the season - and his second career contest - after being recalled from Hartford (AHL) on Monday, and will pivot between Michael Grabner and Pavel Buchnevich.
The team's top two defensive pairings remain in place while Brady Skjei will be partnered with Nick Holden following Tony DeAngelo's AHL assignment on Monday. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec will get his second start as a Ranger.
Arizona comes into Thursday's game as the only winless team in the NHL, and is in the midst of a five-game road trip through the east coast that began with a 5-3 loss Tuesday night against the Islanders.
The Coyotes' 39 goals against are the second-most in the NHL. That, coupled with an offense that hasn't found its rhythm yet, has created trouble in the early going.
Rookie Clayton Keller has six goals and 10 points through nine games to lead all first-year players. After Keller, though, no player has more than two goals. Former Ranger Derek Stepan is second on the team in points with seven, tied with Max Domi.
The Rangers are 26-10-2-0 at home against the Coyotes dating back to the team's time in Winnipeg. New York has won each of its last seven games against Arizona dating back to March 24, 2014.