[7:09 PM] Coyotes @ Penguins

Who will WIN this matchup?

Arizona Coyotes (9-13-5)

@ Pittsburgh Penguins (18-7-3)

 

Starting Goalies:

Mike Smith (ARI): Confirmed

Matt Murray (PIT): Likely

 

• The red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins look to extend their season-high winning streak to six when they open a three-game homestand against the Arizona Coyotes on Monday night. The Penguins scored 28 times during their streak after producing a season-best three power-play tallies in a 4-3 victory at Tampa Bay on Saturday as captain Sidney Crosby took over the league lead with 20 goals.

• The Penguins attempt to win for the fifth straight time at home against an Arizona team that is 3-8-3 on the road. The Coyotes begin a four-game trip after snapping a six-game winless stretch (0-3-3) with a 4-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday at home. Arizona goalie Mike Smith allowed two or fewer goals in six of his last eight games and is 5-7-0 in 13 career contests versus Pittsburgh, but owns two shutouts against the Penguins.

• Arizona continues to suffer important injuries this season as second-leading scorer Max Domi was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body ailment that resulted from a fight during the loss to Calgary on Thursday. Forward Radim Vrbata tops the team with 18 points after notching an assist Saturday and totaled 11 shots in the last two games.

• While the power play snapped out of a 1-for-32 drought Saturday, Pittsburgh’s penalty killing has left something to be desired at 7-for-12 over the last three games. Evgeni Malkin, who has 13 points in the last eight games, had two of the power-play tallies against Tampa Bay and moved into second all-time for the club in the category with 111 – still 125 behind Mario Lemieux. Crosby has eight goals and seven assists in the past nine outings, leading the team with 31, and defenseman Kris Letang boasts six assists in five December contests.

• The Penguins won three of the last four meetings, including a 6-0 triumph at home last season.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins

Confidence: 7/10

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