[9:00 PM] Maple Leafs @ Coyotes

Who will WIN this matchup?

Toronto Maple Leafs (12-12-7)

@ Arizona Coyotes (11-17-5)

 

Starting Goalies:

Frederik Andersen(TOR): Confirmed

Mike Smith(ARI): Likely

 

• The Arizona Coyotes seek the first win on their five-game homestand Friday as they face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Arizona has lost three straight overall and each of the first two contests of the stretch at Gila River Arena, including a 3-2 decision against Edmonton on Wednesday.

• Byron Froese made his season debut Thursday, receiving a fighting major while winning three of his eight faceoffs in 7 minutes, 15 seconds of ice time a day after being recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. The 25-year-old center recorded two goals and three assists in 56 games with the Maple Leafs last campaign — his first in the NHL. Ben Smith, who has produced just one goal in his last 17 contests, was not in the lineup against Colorado as he was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

• Captain Shane Doan will reach one milestone Friday but is looking to hit another. The 40-year-old veteran will be playing in his 1,500th NHL game and is hoping to become the 93rd member of the 400-goal club, as he is one shy of the plateau. Radim Vrbata leads Arizona with eight goals but is mired in a 10-game drought.

• Doan is tied with Mike Modano for 17th place on the all-time games played list and will be just the 12th forward in NHL history to appear in 1,500 contests.

• Toronto is 2-0-1 on the road this month after losing four of its last five away from home in November (1-3-1).

• Four of Arizona D Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s seven goals this season have come on the power play.

StreakSmarts Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs

Confidence: 4/10

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