Coyotes at Maple Leafs
Top overall pick Auston Matthews became hooked on hockey while watching the then-Phoenix and now Arizona Coyotes on the ice. The Arizona native will have a chance to play host to the Coyotes at Air Canada Centre on Thursday when the club pays a visit to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"I'm really looking forward to it," the 19-year-old Matthews said Wednesday. "It's fun to play your hometown team. It will be cool after watching guys like (Shane) Doan growing up. He's still playing (at 40). That will be pretty special." Matthews scored and set up a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to San Jose to increase his point total to nine (seven goals, two assists) in his last nine games. While Toronto has dropped the first two contests of its five-game homestand and five of six overall (1-3-2), Arizona has won two of three on the heels of a six-game skid (0-3-3). Ontario native Jamie McGinn ended an eight-game point drought by scoring twice in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Detroit.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona-Plus, SNO (Toronto)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (10-14-5): Peter Holland didn't have to wait long to be reunited with his former team as the 25-year-old Toronto native returns to Air Canada Centre just six days removed from being traded to Arizona. Acquired for a conditional pick in the 2018 draft, Holland hit the ground running with his new team by notching a pair of assists versus the Red Wings while playing in his first game since Nov. 26. "Peter gives us that steady center that we've needed since (Brad) Richardson got hurt," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "He didn’t look like a guy playing his first game for a team."
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (11-11-6): Frederik Andersen has dropped three of his last four starts despite yielding only eight goals in that stretch, including two on 42 shots versus the Sharks. The 27-year-old Dane looks to right the ship versus an Arizona club that he traditionally has dominated over his career, posting a 5-0-3 mark with a stingy 1.56 goals-against average and .9412 save percentage. Toronto native Zach Hyman is finding his offensive rhythm with two goals in his last three games and seven points (three goals, four assists) in his last nine.
OVERTIME
1. Toronto C Tyler Bozak has recorded 14 of his 19 points at home this season.
2. Coyotes G Mike Smith, who is an Ontario native, owns a 6-1-2 career mark versus the Maple Leafs.
3. Toronto rookie C William Nylander has three assists in his last three games after being held off the scoresheet in his previous three.