Canucks at Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes attempt to defeat the Vancouver Canucks for the second time in five days when they begin a five-game homestand Sunday against their Pacific Division rivals. Arizona posted a 2-1 victory at Vancouver on Wednesday as Derek Stepan snapped a tie with 58 seconds remaining in the third period to even the season series at one win apiece.
The Coyotes are coming off a 5-2 loss at Colorado on Saturday that concluded their 1-1-1 road trip, with Richard Panik recording a goal and an assist to give him four points in his last five games. Vancouver wrapped up a 1-2-2 homestand Friday with a 5-2 setback against Minnesota in which it forged a tie on Jussi Jokinen's goal at 7:51 of the second period before allowing the final three tallies. Daniel Sedin has registered eight goals and seven assists over his last 13 games after helping set up Jokinen's score. Sedin has recorded one two-goal performance during his hot streak - a 3-1 victory at Arizona on Feb. 25.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver), FS Arizona
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (25-34-9): Jokinen has scored in back-to-back games after recording just one goal in his previous 47 contests this season - all but one of which were with other teams. The 34-year-old Finnish left wing, who was acquired from Columbus on Feb. 26, began the campaign with Edmonton but was traded to Los Angeles and later claimed off waivers by the Blue Jackets before joining Vancouver - his ninth club since making his NHL debut in 2005-06 with Dallas. Rookie Brock Boeser leads the team with 29 goals, but is likely done for the season with a back injury.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (21-35-11): Stepan and Laurent Dauphin both exited Saturday's contest after being hit by shots and are questionable to face the Canucks. Clayton Keller leads the club with 48 points and is seven away from breaking the Coyotes rookie record set in 2007-08 by Peter Mueller. Antti Raanta likely will start against Vancouver after sitting out Saturday's contest to nurse a lower-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. The Coyotes have won six of their last eight contests at home, where they are 12-18-4 overall.
2. Vancouver C Bo Horvat has landed on the scoresheet in four of his last five games, collecting two goals and four assists in that span.
3. Arizona had earned points in 11 of 13 games (9-2-2) prior to Saturday's loss.