Arizona Coyotes: Scouting the enemy Colorado Avalanche

The Arizona Coyotes are back in action tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. We have the full scouting report for you.

This is not the same Colorado team we saw earlier this season. In our monthly recap of October, we shared how influential the game against Colorado was for the ‘Yotes. Colorado was a team that was a the top of their game the last time we faced off. They had not lost a game yet, and were one of the best offensive teams in the league, but that was last time.

This time around Colorado is a different team. The Avalanche are on a 3 game losing streak, with losses to the Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers, and most recently Dallas Stars. The Avs lost last night against the Stars 2-1. They needed a win last night against the Stars, and they could not get it done.

The Avs are led by Nathan MacKinnon, who has 18 points so far this season. They also have talented players like Mikko Rantanen but he is out with an injury. With Philipp Grubauer playing yesterday against the Stars, it is almost certain that Pavel Francouz will be in net for the Avs. Francouz has a goals-against-average of 2.63 per game, although that is not great it is actually better than Grubauer’s GAA.

Colorado will be gassed when they come to town to play the well-rested Arizona Coyotes. The ‘Yotes have not played since Wednesday, and they benefited from some time away from the rink. Now it is time to get back on track.

Head coach Rick Tocchet spoke about consistency before tonight’s game.

The ‘Yotes have been blessed with some great play through the first month of the season, but now is the time to show that a one-game slump won’t go further. We don’t want to end up like Colorado and drop multiple games in a row.

Darcy Kuemper will be in net tonight for the ‘Yotes. Kuemper has been a rock for the Coyotes all season, and you can bet he wants to help get this team back on track. Expect to see Kuemper be as rock-solid as ever all night long.

Another Coyotes’ player making his return tonight is Jordan Oesterle. Oesterle has been out for over two weeks since getting an upper-body injury after a puck hit him in the head. It will be interesting to see how the team responds to having Oesterle back.

I would also like to see Phil Kessel play big tonight at home. It is a Kachina Saturday in Arizona! The last time Kessel scored was on an occasion very similar.

Puck drop is at 6 tonight for the Coyotes Avalanche game!