The Arizona Coyotes (13-18-5, 31 points, 7th Central) are in the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday for an NHL showdown against the Philadelphia Flyers (14-17-7, 35 points, 7th Metro). Arizona has lost each of its last 2 after falling to the Florida Panthers 5-3 on Tuesday night, while Philadelphia has won each of its last 3 after defeating the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 on Monday night. Arizona will play without Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Matias Maccelli and Liam O'Brien. Philadelphia will play without Cam Atkinson, Sean Couturier, Ryan Ellis, Carter Hart and Tanner Laczynski.
The Arizona Coyotes are scoring an average of only 2.89 goals per game which is 26th in the NHL. Arizona averages 25.1 shots which is last in hockey and the Coyotes’ power play is scoring only 21.0% of the time with the man advantage. Clayton Keller is the stats leader across the board for Arizona with team highs in goals scored with 14, assists with 22 and points with 36. Lawson Crouse is tied for the lead in goals scored with 14. Matias Maccelli is second in assists with 19 but is out injured. Arizona has scored only 25 power play goals in 36 games.
Arizona is allowing an average of 3.64 goals per game which is 25th in the NHL. The Coyotes are allowing an average of 34.6 shots per game which is 30th. Arizona's penalty-kill unit is 27th, successfully holding opponents scoreless 72.9% of the time the Coyotes a re short-handed. Karel Vejmelka is 11-11-4 with a 3.23 goals against average, .906 save percentage and two shutouts. Arizona has lost four of the Czech’s last six starts between the pipes.