Predictions are a funny thing.
The Arizona Coyotes, picked by many to finish last in the NHL, head into Tuesday’s action atop the Pacific Division, paced by a pair of 20-year-old rookies that were linemates at last year’s World Juniors
How many figured that would happen?
Probably no one, and those that did are probably lying. But tonight, Max Domi -- Arizona’s leading point-getter -- and Anthony Duclair, the club’s top goalscorer, will take their act into Boston to face the Bruins.
Domi was the hero in last night’s 4-3 win over the Leafs, scoring his first goal Toronto, the city his dad spent 12 years in.
“It’s a really good story right now for an unbelievable kid,” Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett said of Domi, per the club website. “There is a lot of pressure and spotlight on him, and he’s handled it well.”
Last night’s goal was Domi’s 10th point of the season, moving him past Edmonton’s Connor McDavid for the rookie scoring lead.
Duclair was held off the scoresheet against the Leafs, but still leads the Coyotes in goals, with five, putting him in a tie with McDavid and Rangers forward Oscar Lindberg for the freshman lead.
It’ll be interesting to see how Domi and Duclair fare tonight, in their second meeting of the season against Boston.
Last time out, a 5-3 B’s win in Arizona, was one to forget for both. The pair failed to notch a single point and mustered just two shots on goal -- both from Domi -- despite a healthy dose of power-play time.
But that was one of the few low points in an otherwise terrific start to the year, a start the Bruins are well aware of. Even though they fared well against the Coyotes the last time out, they’re still regarding them as a dangerous club.
“They’re a good team, they’re a fast-paced team, they have a lot of skill,” Patrice Bergeron said. “We need to be ready to face that tonight.”