Both the Boston Bruins and Arizona Coyotes will try to end losing streaks when they meet Saturday night at the Gila River Arena in Glendale.
The Bruins are closing a road trip that began with three losses to the California teams this week. Boston’s three-game losing skid is its first since the team started 1-3-0 to begin the season. In fact, the B’s have not been winless on a road trip of four or more games since the 1996-97 campaign.
The Coyotes have lost six straight games on home ice with their last win coming on Nov. 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Arizona was expected to contend for a playoff spot this season after barely missing a postseason berth in 2013-14, but it currently has just 23 points through 27 games (second-fewest in the Western Conference).
Here’s a quick preview of tonight’s game.
TV, Radio Information: NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub
Season Series: First meeting
Record: Boston (14-12-1, 5th in Atlantic), Arizona (10-14-3, 6th in Pacific)
Bruins Player To Watch: B’s right winger Reilly Smith ended a 10-game goalless drought in Thursday’s 7-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks. The Bruins need this offensive production to continue because several key forwards — including Loui Eriksson, Milan Lucic, Carl Soderberg and Patrice Bergeron — haven’t scored a goal on this road trip. Ten of Smith’s 26 goals with Boston since the start of the 2013-14 season have been scored in December.
Coyotes Player To Watch: Keith Yandle is one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL and a threat on the power play. The Boston-area native is a smooth skater, an excellent playmaker and has a powerful shot from the point. Yandle leads the Coyotes with 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 27 games.
Key Stat For Bruins: Boston has given up 30 second-period goals, one fewer than the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers for the highest total in the league. The Bruins allowed four second-period goals to the Sharks on Thursday night and have a minus-7 goal differential in second periods this season.
Key Stat For Coyotes: Much like the Bruins, the Coyotes have not scored goals consistently this season. They rank 24th in goals scored per game and lost their last two games by a combined score of 9-2. Arizona also has scored two or fewer goals in seven of its last 10 games.
