Arizona Coyotes Games 31 Thru 32 Predictions

Continuing the six game homestead, the Arizona Coyotes must now rally behind new starting goalie Anders Lindback.

Nov 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Anders Lindback (29) males a save as defenseman Connor Murphy (5) defends and Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) looks on during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

** Here are the Howlin’ Hockey Editor’s Predictions for the Arizona Coyotes games the week of 12-13-15 to 12-19-15

Game 31: Columbus Blue Jackets at Arizona Coyotes – December 17, 2015

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The last time these two teams met, on November 14, 2015 the Blue Jackets won 5-2 in Columbus. The Arizona Coyotes tied the game in the second period 2-2, only to allow Blue Jackets to score three straight goals to seal the loss.

Since then, the Blue Jackets have played really lousy. They have gone 5-7-3, including carrying a five game losing streak into this game. In their last nine games they have only won once. Their boisterous Head Coach, John Totorella is not happy with the play of his team. He stated so here:

The Arizona Coyotes have not fared much better since their last meeting with the John Tortorella led Columbus hockey club, going 5-7-1, including that horrid five game losing streak on the last road trip.

They are going to need to show new starting goalie Anders Lindback that they have his back, and will play some decent hockey. This is a very winnable game, the Blue Jackets should rollover. They’re in disarray. Torts even benched Ryan Johansen, adding to speculation that he will be traded soon. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is on injured reserve, and that adds to the chances that the Arizona Coyotes should walk away with a victory.

Prediction: Arizona Coyotes 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

Dec 13, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss (1) is congratulated by center John Tavares (91) after defeating the New Jersey Devils 4-0 at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Game 32: New York Islanders at Arizona Coyotes – December 19, 2015

These two teams met last on November 16, 2015 in Brooklyn. Frankly, the Arizona Coyotes let John Tavares loose, and he came away with three points, including two goals. This was a close game through two periods, with the Islanders holding a slim 1-0 lead. Then, by 11:50 of the third period, the Coyotes lost it.

They gave up three consecutive goals to go down 4-0 to a very good team. You just don’t come back from that kind of deficit, but the Desert Dogs gave it a try. They scored two quick goals 2:08 apart to make it an interesting affair. Pulling Anders Lindback for an additional attacker backfired, and Tavares buried an empty netter to decide the game.

This will be a good test for the Arizona Coyotes sense of fortitude and determination. With Lindback in the net, we will see if he can contain the likes of Tavares and Okposo, who between them collected five points in the last game they faced Arizona. The key here will be to score first, and use that home-ice advantage.

The Islanders have won seven of their last nine games, but lost to Florida at home on Tuesday, the 15th, and must play the Avalanche the 17th. The Av’s ended Patrick Kane’s 26 consecutive game scoring streak defeating the Blackhawks 3-0 last night.

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The game plan should be to strike fast and early, and defend like this is the Stanley Cup Finals. The Islanders are an excellent hockey club, and you won’t win by just showing up.

I see Lindback having a stellar game, and I mean a shutout type of game.

Prediction: Arizona Coyotes 3, New York Islanders 0

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