A key defenseman for the Arizona Coyotes will return tonight after missing the past five games, but another one won’t suit up vs. the San Jose Sharks.
Coyotes’ Sean Durzi (lower body) has been installed back to the lineup and is warming up in San Jose.
Previously, Durzi was on the end of a huge collision with Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson on Dec. 4 and has been out for six of the past seven games since.
Tom Wilson gets a penalty for this hit on Sean Durzi pic.twitter.com/anS52LuVAg
— HighlightHarbor (@HighlightHarbor) December 5, 2023
He will be heading back to California once again and face the Sharks, a fierce rival of Durzi’s former team in the Los Angeles Kings.
Prior to his injury, Durzi had five goals, 13 points and 53 blocks in 25 games this season.
As a result, Välimäki will be a healthy scratch for Arizona tonight with Durzi coming back in the fold.
So far in his second year as a Coyote, Välimäki has six assists, 12 hits and 30 blocks through 25 games.
The game between Arizona and San Jose commences at 8:30 p.m. MST on ESPN+ / Hulu.
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