Coyotes at Senators
The Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators are both struggling to stay out of the basement in their respective divisions, but both teams are playing well entering the final week leading to the All-Star break. The Coyotes have earned points in six of their last seven contests (5-1-1) as they continue their six-game road trip with a visit to Ottawa on Tuesday night.
With the exception of an embarrassing rout in Calgary, Arizona is on a solid run with wins over San Jose and Toronto sandwiched around an overtime loss to Pittsburgh. "We're really finding our identity here and how we want to play as a team," Vinnie Hinostroza said after the Coyotes opened the trek with Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Maple Leafs. Ottawa was denied in its bid for a third straight victory, falling at St. Louis 3-2 on Saturday after posting consecutive three-goal wins over Colorado and Carolina. Goaltender Craig Anderson, who made 35 saves against the Blues after sitting out 12 games due to a concussion, will make the start against the Coyotes.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona Plus, TSN5, RDS (Ottawa)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (22-22-4): Netminder Darcy Kuemper has yet to lose in regulation in 2019, posting a 5-0-2 mark in seven starts this month after turning aside 24 shots against the potent Maple Leafs. "I feel good," said Kuemper, who is three starts shy of matching his career high of 28. "I'm just trying to get some treatment when I can and keep my body ready. I always try to prepare like I'm playing every game even when I'm not, so it doesn't really make any difference how many games I play." Backup Calvin Pickard, acquired on waivers from Philadelphia in late November, could make his Arizona debut this week.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (19-25-5): Ottawa has major decisions to make concerning its top three goals scorers prior to next month's trade deadline as Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. Multiple reports over the weekend said Duchene's agents were offered an eight-year deal between $8 and $9 million annually and the numbers are expected to be similar for Stone. “It makes you think. You never know what a team’s forecast is going to be,” forward Bobby Ryan said. “It’s human instinct to always think the grass is greener and you never know until you experience it.”
OVERTIME
1. The Coyotes have won the last three meetings, including a 5-1 romp on Oct. 30.
2. Ryan will appear in his 400th game with Ottawa and 778th overall.
3. Coyotes F Clayton Keller has scored in back-to-back games after managing one goal in the previous 21.