Oct. 15, 2022 | 4 pm MST | TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
TV: Bally Sports Arizona | Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
Saturday’s matchup against the Boston Bruins is set to be a memorable one.
Former first-round draft pick Dylan Guenther (2021, 9th overall) is set to make his NHL debut just one season after being drafted. The 19-year-old appeared in six preseason games for the Coyotes earlier this season following a 91-point season with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings in the 2021-22 season.
There weren’t any guarantees that Guenther would crack the lineup out of camp, but Coyotes head coach André Tourigny said he was impressed with the rookie’s performance throughout the team’s exhibition season.
“He can shut down opponents, he can win loose puck battles, he’s good on the forecheck, he’s good on the backcheck, and he’s good in the zone,” Tourigny said. “He’s good offensively. He can pass, he can shoot, he can do a lot of stuff. I knew that about him, now it’s about, for him, he’s about to do it against NHL players.”
Travis Boyd is also expected to reach a career milestone on Saturday, as it will be his 200th career NHL game. The 29-year-old, who’s in his second season with the Coyotes, enjoyed a career-year last season, recording 17 goals and 18 assists in 35 games. He signed a two-year extension with Arizona last season.
Nick Ritchie scored two goals in the Coyotes’ season-opening game, a 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, while defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and JJ Moser each recorded two assists.
Player to Watch: Forward Nick Bjugstadwho signed with the Coyotes as a free agent this past offseason, has historically played well against the Bruins, notching 13 points in 22 games played against them.
ABOUT THE BRUINS
The Bruins won the first game of their season 5-2 against the Capitals on Wednesday, led by forward David Pastrnak’s four points (1G, 3A). David Krejci also had a strong game, notching three points on one goal and two assists.
Boston also got goals from Patrice Bergeron, Hampus Lindholm, and former Coyote Taylor Hall.
The Bruins finished last season in fourth place in the Atlantic Division, and ultimately lost in seven games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the First Round of the NHL Playoffs. They were 26-13-2 on home ice.
Player to Watch: Keep an eye on Pastrnak, who opened the season with an impressive four points. The 26-year-old has 508 points in 511 career games – all with the Bruins.
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