[2:00 PM] Coyotes @ Wild

Who will WIN this matchup?

Arizona Coyotes (11-14-5)

@ Minnesota Wild (17-8-4)

 

Starting Goalies:

Mike Smith (ARI): Confirmed

Darcy Kuemper (MIN): Confirmed

 

• While Devan Dubnyk has been the constant during the Minnesota Wild’s six-game winning streak, fellow goaltender Darcy Kuemper is expected to receive a rare start on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Arizona Coyotes. The NHL’s leader in goals-against average (1.62), save percentage (.947) and shutouts (four), Dubnyk turned aside 34 shots in Thursday’s 5-2 triumph over Nashville to send Minnesota to its sixth straight win and extend his personal point streak to a career-high 10 games (8-0-2).

• Arizona is enjoying a taste of success as well by answering a six-game skid with wins in three of its last four contests heading into the finale of a four-game road trip. Captain Shane Doan, who is one goal shy of 400 for his career, has been limited to just three assists in 17 road contests this season.

• Defenseman Connor Murphy remains a possibility to return on Saturday from a weeklong absence due to an upper-body injury, according to coach Dave Tippett. While Murphy is in the day-to-day category, forward Max Domi likely has a significantly longer wait as he recovers from hand surgery.

• eteran Eric Staal scored twice versus the Predators to increase his team-leading point total to 22 for Minnesota, which boasts an NHL third-best 13 players with 10 or more points. Mikael Granlund has collected two goals and four assists during a five-game point streak and Nino Niederreiter set up a pair of tallies on Thursday to extend his point streak to four (one goal, four assists).

• Arizona G Mike Smith, who made 44 saves in a 3-2 shootout win over Toronto on Thursday, owns a 4-8-1 career mark versus Minnesota with two shutouts and a 2.27 GAA.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Minnesota Wild

Confidence: 5/10

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