The Coyotes recalled Merkley on Friday after he had 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 20 games with Tucson of the American Hockey League. Arizona is trying to end a six-game losing streak (0-5-1) during which it has scored seven goals. The Coyotes are 1-7-2 in their past 10 games. Florida is trying to end a three-game losing streak (0-2-1). The Panthers are 2-4-3 in their past nine games. They have scored two goals or fewer in their past four games.
Players to watch
Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in his past eight games. He has points in seven of those eight games. Coyotes forward Derek Stepan has 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 23 games against the Panthers.
They said it
"We've had opportunities to get points in the bank and we didn't find a way to do that. We need to find goals or every mistake is magnified." -- Panthers coach Bob Boughner on his team's three-game losing streak "It's about the personnel buying into the details within our structure, and I love what our guys are doing right now." -- Coyotes assistant Scott Allen on a penalty-killing unit that has been the NHL's best since Oct. 31 (89.23 percent; 58-for-65 in 23 games)
Vrbata, 36, said Monday that he'll probably retire after this season. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses on July 1 and has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 27 games. Vrbata had 55 points (20 goals, 35 assists) for Arizona in 2016-17. … Ekman-Larsson missed practice Monday with an undisclosed illness but took part in the morning skate and Tocchet said he was probable.
Stat pack
Barkov has seven points (three goals, four assists) in his past seven games. He has points in six of those seven games. … Ekman-Larsson has no points in his past eight games after scoring goals in three straight games from Nov. 24-28.
