Jason Zucker’s Return Highlights Predators at Coyotes on Thursday Night

Nashville locked down their 18th consecutive point recorded with a win in comeback fashion on Tuesday, as the Predators mounted the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime.

The Arizona Coyotes were mathematically eliminated from NHL Playoff contention after Nashville’s win but still have the ability to affect the run of other teams by handing them critical losses as the season winds down.

WHITEOUT IMMINENT IN TUCSON

The Coyotes’ minor league affiliate Tucson Roadrunners clinched the playoffs on Wednesday as one of three teams atop the AHL’s Pacific Division with 77 points and a 36-21-3 record in 62 games to this point.

Tucson is without Josh Doan, who had two goals in his NHL debut on Tuesday night, leader in the goals and points categories for the Roadrunners (26-20–46).

ZUCKER RETURNS TO THE DESERT

As one of the bargaining chips the Coyotes had to play at the NHL Trade Deadline, Jason Zucker was dealt to Nashville for a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Zucker has accrued two goals and one assist in his eight games with the Predators.

Zucker signed a one-year contract with the Coyotes on July 1, 2023.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Connor Ingram is next in head coach Andre Tourigny’s goaltending rotation and appears slated to start against his old team, who the Coyotes bested on April 29, 2022, the final game of the franchise’s tenure in Glendale.

Juuse Saros is projected to get the nod for the Predators. Winning 12 of his last 14 starts while the Predators have recorded a point in each of their last 18 games, with only two losses, both in overtime, in that stretch.

LET’S DO THAT HOCKEY

Puck drop is at 10 PM EST and 7 PM MST at Mullett Arena.

The Coyotes are back in action on Saturday when the New York Rangers come to town. The Predators get a day off before squaring off with the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on Saturday.