Despite a dreadful start to the 2017-18 regular season, the Arizona Coyotes have clawed to within three points of the Buffalo Sabres for 30th in the League standings. It may not sound like much, but for a team that didn't earn its first win until Oct. 30 -- in its 12th game -- its rally is quite impressive.
The Coyotes are currently playing their best hockey of the season, going 6-3-1 during their past 10 games, a stretch bested by only Anaheim (6-2-2) in the Pacific Division.
That span includes a 4-3 overtime win at Xcel Energy Center on Feb. 8, a game in which the Coyotes dug themselves out of a 3-0 hole by scoring four times unanswered. Clayton Keller tallied the winning goal 3:55 into the extra session. Nick Cousins scored twice in the game, and Derek Stepan had a pair of assists.
The meeting Thursday is the second of three games, and the first of two in Glendale; the two clubs square off again at Gila River Arena in 16 days.
Keller leads the Coyotes offensively and is in the midst of a breakout rookie campaign. He's scored 17 goals and has 44 points, both first on the club. Stepan is second with 39 points, and Brendan Perlini has 16 goals.
Antti Raanta has been solid when healthy, especially lately. He's 13-15-6 on the year with a 2.46 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. Former Wild goaltender Darcy Kuemper, acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings last week, is his backup.
