Christian Dvorak to make Arizona Coyotes return tonight

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 28: Christian Dvorak #18 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the game at T-Mobile Arena on March 28, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 28: Christian Dvorak #18 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the game at T-Mobile Arena on March 28, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Arizona Coyotes will Christian Dvorak make his season debut tonight when they take on the Florida Panthers at the Gila River Arena.

Christian Dvorak has not yet made an appearance for the Arizona Coyotes this season, having undergone pectoral surgery just prior to the start of the season.

Dvorak, 23, spent a brief conditioning stint with the Coyotes’ AHL affiliates the Tucson Roadrunners last week – making two appearances to help him get back up to speed before returning to NHL action.

Now, per Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, Dvorak is set to make his season debut for the Coyotes when they take on the Panthers at home.

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They also report that Dvorak is set to feature on a line with Richard Panik and Conor Garland, with Dvorak looking to step into his familiar centre role.

With the Arizona Coyotes losing a number of centres through injuries this season, having Dvorak return to the position he excelled in during juniors will be a positive for the team.

In two full seasons with the Coyotes, Dvorak has had back-to-back 15-goal campaigns and will provide Rick Tocchet with a goalscoring threat – boosting a team that is close to making the playoffs.

The second-round (58th overall) selection by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2014 draft improved his points total from his rookie and sophomore campaigns – increasing from 33 (15 goals, 18 assists) to 37 (15 goals, 22 assists).

This season looked to have the potential for a breakout for Dvorak, but was waylaid but his injury – which could have seen him miss the entire campaign.

Having Dvorak back in the line-up will be a big boost for the team, with a healthy and hungry player returning to help push the Coyotes closer towards the playoffs.

What do you think of the news Coyotes fans? Are you pleased to see Dvorak make a return after so long on the sidelines? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!