Phoenix Coyotes vs. Calgary Flames - Game #54 Preview - Icy Hot

If anyone was watching the Calgary-Dallas game like I was last night you've got to be thinking that this is a pretty winnable game for our Phoenix Coyotes. Not because the Flames don't have potential or skilled players, because they do, but because they got beat up last night and went into overtime, but it's also that you can just see there are major issues with their squad when you watch them play. When Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff takes two late slashing calls, in overtime no less, that's troubling. He took the first because he was frustrated with a camper in his crease, and then the second when he practically hugged a guy and hit him because no one on his own team was covering him. I'd compare them to the team we saw in Detroit the other night. The Wings have had very similar issues, Piles of talent, but something missing that ends up with them losing games even when they had big leads. Does any of that mean we shouldn't take them seriously? Not by a long shot. Calgary is free falling and looking for anything to get them back in a rhythm. We can't let them get any small victories out of us. I don't care how professional they are, after the bruising game last night they've got to be winded a bit. We need to take our game straight at them and hit them in the mouth.

The Starting Goaltenders

Bryz off course in goal for us again. Gave up four against the Wings, but I'd say the WIngs made some nice plays and the guys in front had to own a couple of them. He still made plenty of great saves, but his GAA has taken a hit lately and it'd be nice to see him hold a team to just 1 or 2.

Even with him losing his cool at the end of last night's Stars tilt it seems like he'll be getting the start. No one can confirm if that's actually the case though. While they need the points tonight, I wouldn't be surprised to see Curtis McElhinney in for tonight, but no one knows right now.

Key Players

Shane Doan

#19 / Right Wing / Phoenix Coyotes

Height: 6-1

Weight: 224

Born: Oct 10, 1976

He's the man, and he's really been on a roll lately. 10 points over his last 5 games (3-7-10) If it wasn't for that craptacular Washington game he'd have a streak, but I'll take 4 points (1-3-4) against Detroit I guess.

Olli Jokinen

#21 / Center / Calgary Flames

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Born: Dec 05, 1978

Remember this guy? Well one stat saw reported, though I don't remember where, was this:

Matthew Lombardi: 9-25-34   to    Olli Jokinen: 11-22-33

Can you believe that? AND We get Calgary's first round pick this year, which is looking better by the day. Hopefully The Marshmellow Man gets flattened tonight.

The Infirmary