Preview: Coyotes to Face Canadiens at Bell Centre in Montreal

Oct. 20, 2022 | 4 pm MST | Bell Centre, Montreal, QuebecTV: Bally Sports Arizona | Radio: ESPN 620 AM

The Arizona Coyotes’ power play has been scorching hot.

Up against a Montreal Canadiens team that’s allowed just one power-play goal in four games, something’s got to give.

The Coyotes are fresh on the heels of a 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, a game that saw them notch two goals with the man advantage. Thursday marks the first of two meetings between Arizona and Montreal, with the second on Dec. 19 at Mullett Arena.

Arizona has won the last three games between the two clubs.

The Coyotes’ power play is third-best in the league entering Thursday, as the team has recorded five goals on 13 attempts. The Canadiens, meanwhile, have killed off 11 of the 12 penalties called against them, a 91.67 percent success rate.

Goalie Connor Ingram, who was claimed off waivers earlier this month, is expected to make his first start for the Coyotes. The 25-year-old netminder has started just three games in his NHL career – all with the Nashville Predators last season. He posted a 1-2-0 record with a 3.71 goals-against average and .879 save percentage.

Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has led the way this season with five points in three games, and scored Monday’s game-winner on — you guessed it — the power play. Forward Nick Ritchie’s three goals also lead the team.

Player to Watch: Forward Clayton Keller currently has a three-game point streak against the Canadiens, notching two goals and three assists over that span. Add in the fact that he’s recorded a point in each of the Coyotes’ last two games, and Keller is your Coyote to watch in tonight’s contest.

ABOUT THE CANADIENSMontreal enters tonight’s game 2-2-0, most recently scoring three unanswered goals in a 3-2 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. The Canadiens also beat the Toronto Maple Leafs on opening night.

Forward Nick Suzuki leads the team with five points over four games, while Cole Caufield leads the way in terms of goals, with three. First-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky is still looking for his first career NHL point — he’s averaging 10:41 time on ice over four games. Former Coyotes forward Christian Dvorak has also been held without a point to this point of the season.

Goalie Jake Allen is expected to start between the pipes tonight for Montreal. The 32-year-old has split time in net with Sam Montembeault this season, posting a record of 1-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .943 SV%.

The Canadiens finished 22-49-11 last season, which placed them in eighth place in the Atlantic Division. They ended up with the first-overall draft pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Player to Watch: Forward Sean Monahan has traditionally played well against Arizona, recording 24 points on 11 goals and 13 assists in 31 games against the Coyotes. The 28-year-old, who has played in 660 career games, has a goal and an assist this season.