Player to watch vs. Coyotes: Alexey Toropchenko

Toropchenko gets the promotion tonight against the Coyotes with Pavel Buchnevich (upper body injury) out of the lineup.

Toropchenko, listed at 6-foot-6, 222 pounds, is big, physical, skates, checks and works hard and has earned the promotion to move up to play with Brayden Schenn and Kasperi Kapanen tonight.

Toropchenko, playing in his 100th NHL game tonight, has just 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in his brief NHL career, but he will be the worker bee for his linemates and do his best to create havoc and space in the offensive zone for his linemates, perhaps even chipping in some offense if he is able to park his big body in front of the net.

Toropchenko has an assist in five career games against the Coyotes but could be a factor playing in a more skilled role.