Coyotes brace for defensive test vs. high-scoring Stars
After getting their offense back on track Tuesday night, thanks in part to the return of Oliver Ekman-Larsson from a six-game injury absence, the Arizona Coyotes will face a stern test for the defense on Thursday night.
The Western Conference-leading Dallas Stars will bring the NHL's highest-scoring offense to Gila River Arena to battle the Coyotes.
The game can be seen on FOX Sports Arizona, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Vernon Fiddler scored two of Dallas' four first-period goals to help the Stars (44-21-9) clinch a playoff spot with a 6-2 win at Chicago on Tuesday night.
"It's really step one in what we are trying to accomplish," coach Lindy Ruff said. "Clinching is really important, but now it's moving on and making sure our game's in the right place. We've been playing some good hockey lately."
Back in the playoffs after missing out for the sixth time in seven years last season, the Stars hold a two-point lead over St. Louis in the Central Division and the conference.
"We're not going to sit back," said forward Colton Sceviour, who had a goal and an assist Tuesday. "There's still a lot of stuff that can be accomplished and obviously the division is so tight that if you let up, all of a sudden you're not in the position you wanted to be in.
"We're in a good spot right now."
The Coyotes (32-34-7) are coming off a 4-2 win over Edmonton on Tuesday night in Ekman-Larsson's return from a shoulder injury.
Martin Hanzal had a goal and an assist and Max Domi snapped a 13-game goal drought as the Coyotes broke out after being blanked in the previous two contests.
Ekman-Larsson had an assist and posted a plus-3 rating for the second time in his last three games. He had 20 minutes and 50 seconds of ice time despite it being his first game in more than two weeks.
"You can't replace that guy," Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith said. "He's a special player and when he's out ... our defense has done a great job filling the void, but those minutes, the skill and the leadership is a lot to cover for."
Smith has gone 3-1-0 with a 1.25 GAA since missing 40 games with a lower-body injury. He's lost four in a row against the Stars, last facing them in November 2014.
The Coyotes beat the Stars 6-3 on Feb. 18, getting two goals and an assist from Domi and three assists from fellow rookie Anthony Duclair.
Dallas captain Jamie Benn has two goals and three assists in the past three overall against Arizona. The Stars are averaging 3.6 goals in their past 12 road games, going 8-2-2.
Antii Niemi was in goal for the February loss to Arizona, but Kari Lehtonen is likely to start on Thursday. He has a 1.20 goals-against average during a five-game winning streak against the Coyotes but hasn't faced them since Dec. 31, 2014.
