After losing two major players, the Leafs are reluctant to add a 27-year-old crucial player at $24.9 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Arizona Coyotes will play one of the most eagerly awaited games of the 2023–24 season in Tempe.

The ‘Yotes have now dropped ten straight games; their most recent loss came against the Edmonton Oilers, 6-3. Nick Bjugstad notched two goals, and Clayton Keller also contributed an assist.

After two periods, Arizona had a 3-2 lead, but Edmonton scored four goals in the third. The Coyotes’ loss gives them the NHL’s longest current losing run at 0-9-1.

The ‘Yotes are currently ranked 27th in the league standings overall as a result of this outcome and the victories of teams around.

Arizona, looking to resume their winning ways, welcomes the Maple Leafs, a team against which they have an 18-4-2 record dating back to 2004. The Coyotes won the season series 2-0 last year after winning 4-2 at Toronto on October 17, 2022, and 6-3 at home on December 29, 2022.

Although the facts and statistics suggest otherwise, this game may go any way because the ‘Yotes have been struggling a lot lately.

Notes on Maple Leafs
Two players will visit their hockey roots when Toronto is in town.

Auston Matthews, a native of Scottsdale, returns to Arizona once more. The top scorer in the NHL has

Given that he was raised in the Valley and was born in Phoenix, Matthew Knies is also anticipated to perform tonight in front of friends and family. After registering 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 52 games during his rookie year, Knies will make his NHL debut in his home town.

Regarding the remainder of the Leafs’ outstanding offensive group, standout players William Nylander (29 goals, 43 assists) and Mitch Marner (65 goals, 43 assists) have combined for 72 points this season.

Toronto is 8-0-2 in their past 10 games and has won four straight.

The Maple Leafs defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Monday after destroying the Anaheim Ducks 9-2 on Saturday. In this run of victories, Matthews has

With 3.57 goals scored per game and 18.13 goals allowed per game, Toronto is in fourth place in the NHL.

The Maple Leafs’ special teams rank second in the NHL in terms of power play (28.4%). They are 22nd in the league (77.6%) on the penalty kill.

Stat Leaders Goals: RW Clayton Keller of the Coyotes: 22; C. Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs: 49

Helpers: Maple Leafs – RW Clayton Keller: 29 | Coyotes – RW Mitch Marner and William Nylander: T-4