Preview: Coyotes Close out Homestand Against Red Wings on Friday

March 8, 2024 | 7 pm MST | Mullett Arena, Tempe, Ariz.
TV: Arizona 61 | Radio: 98.7 FM Arizona Sports

The Arizona Coyotes are set to close out their three-game homestand against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, marking the first of two meetings between the teams this season. They’ll meet for the second-and-final time next Thursday in Detroit.

Arizona has won five of its last six games against the Red Wings by a combined score of 25-10.

Forward Michael Carcone has recorded a goal in three of his last four games, and is tied with Nick Schmaltz for the fourth-most goals on the team, at 18. The 27-year-old has 24 points in 55 games this season.

Matias Maccelli is approaching a major milestone, as well, as the young forward is just one point shy of recording 100 in his career. He’s just six points shy of topping his career-best mark of 49, set in his first full NHL season last year.

Lineups were not yet available prior to posting, but goalie Karel Vejmelka started against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night, making 23 saves on 26 shots. He is 1-0-1 with a 2.44 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in his career against the Red Wings.

Connor Ingram, meanwhile, played in Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, making 27 saves on 31 shots. He’s 17-16-3 with five shutouts this season, and 1-0-0 with a 2.77 GAA and .925 SV% in his career against Detroit.

Player to Watch: Forward Lawson Crouse has three goals and five assists in 10 career games against Detroit.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS
The Red Wings are in a playoff push for the first time in years, eight points out of third place in the Atlantic Division and currently holding the first Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference with two games in hand. They have dropped three straight games – most recently a 7-2 road defeat to the Colorado Avalanche – and are in the midst of a four-game road trip.

The game also marks the return of forward Christian Fischer, who was drafted by the Coyotes in 2015 and played 398 games in the organization, recording 111 points over that span. He’s in his first season with the Red Wings, and has notched two goals and 12 assists in 59 games.

Captain Dylan Larkin’s 54 points are tied with Alex DeBrincat for the most on the team, followed by Lucas Raymond (51), former Coyotes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (40), and Daniel Sprong (39). Former Blackhawks star Patrick Kane has also had strong production numbers since joining the team, posting 31 points in as many games played.

Larkin, however, is expected to miss at least another week with a lower-body injury.

Goalie Alex Lyon has surprised this season, posting an 18-11-2 record with two shutouts, a 2.89 GAA and .910 SV%. James Reimer has filled in with backup Ville Husso currently out with an injury, and has a 3.55 GAA and an .892 SV%.

Detroit’s offense is one of the most improved in the league this season, ranking sixth with 3.48 goals-for per game. Their defense has also been better than years past, but still allows the 11th-most goals per game at 3.26.

The Red Wings’ power play ranks 10th in the league with a conversion rate of 22.97 percent, while their penalty kill is 12th with an 80.41 percent success rate.

Player to Watch: DeBrincat has historically fared well against the Coyotes, recording six goals and nine assists in 15 career games against them.