Phoenix Coyotes at Chicago Blackhawks - Game # 58 Preview
by Travis Hair on Feb 5, 2010 4:12 PM MST
9 comments
The Coyotes got a few days off between their last game against the Predators and tonight's game against the evil Blackhawks. Coach Dave Tippet wasn't sure that was such a good thing with how the team has been playing, especially as they've extended the winning streak they're on while on the road, which has not been the strong suit of the team this year. While the Coyotes have stayed just above .500 on the road for the majority of the year they're now 13-10-3 which is a bit of an improvement. This meeting will only be the second of the year between the two teams, with the Coyotes winning the earlier matchup 3-1. Hopefully with how well we're playing this year that means we won't be trashed by them in Chicago like we were last season. It seemed like everytime we played, no matter how well we were doing we'd go to Chicago and get massacred. At least Kris Versteeg doesn't have any tiny rookie centers to try and fight this time.
Chicago has been up and down lately, though they're still in the lead in the Central division. They have however, lost 4 of the last seven games and are 6-4-0 over the last ten. Patrick Kane has been big lately with 9 points in 9 games. According to the SBNation Hawks site Second City Hockey, defense is the biggest issue at the moment.
Of bigger concern is the defensive zone coverage, particularly from the Olympic duo of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Perhaps the increased workload and compressed schedule have caught up to them, but their decision making in their own end has been severely out of character for both. Whatever is causing it, it needs to be corrected in short order, as no goalie can be asked to make every save with some of the quality chances that they've yielded.
Starting Goaltenders:
Last time we saw Jason LaBarbera was against the Rangers on January 30th. LaBarbera got the win 3-2 over the Rangers, even though the Rangers tried to come back scoring both of the goals in the 3rd. Part of the problem was that while the team in front of him was confident, the started making mistakes late in the game with the lead allowing odd man breaks that LaBarbera just got beat on. Confidence in your goaltender is good, but don't get too comfortable.
Huet has lost his last two starts against the Carolina Hurricanes and the St. Louis Blues. While they haven't been blowouts it's certainly never a confidence booster when you're losing to the worst team in hockey at the moment in the Canes and one that's 5 points back of the playoffs in the West. If his defense keeps doing the work they have been it could be a long night for him.
Key Players
If this were NBA Jam, Shane Doan would be heating up. Although last year he was hot for the whole season, this is his usual MO. Start the season getting a point here and there and then in the 2nd half turn the offense up to 11 and go crazy go nuts. Points in the first three months of the season? 26. Points in January? 17.
Has nine points in his last nine games. Fun Fact: Towes, much like Sidney Crosby, cannot grow a playoff beard. He can only grow playoff muttonchops.
The Infirmary
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Let's go xoyotes
Clap clap
clap clap clap
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(Oh, and go Philly teams as well!)
by Moridin417 on Feb 5, 2010 4:30 PM MST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Obviously that should be Coyotes – silly iPhone keypad.
Support Coyotes Hockey - Five For Howling
(Oh, and go Philly teams as well!)
by Moridin417 on Feb 5, 2010 4:31 PM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Ha!
Are you in Pittsburgh? And if so, why?
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JaredFromLondon: ...Odin, he's cool.
by Travis Hair on Feb 5, 2010 4:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Awoooooo!
Yotes are gonna win tonight. I just know.
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal."
- George Will
by hunterpencefan on Feb 5, 2010 4:32 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
They had better.
I hate losing to the chickenhawks.
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JaredFromLondon: ...Odin, he's cool.
by Travis Hair on Feb 5, 2010 4:35 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal."
- George Will
by hunterpencefan on Feb 5, 2010 4:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Yep
THat’s what’s in the PShopped logo that’ll be up at gametime.
Support Your Local Coyotes Blog - Five For Howling
JaredFromLondon: ...Odin, he's cool.
by Travis Hair on Feb 5, 2010 4:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure.
I’m psychic.
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal."
- George Will
by hunterpencefan on Feb 5, 2010 4:51 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
According to Sports illustrated's top 13 list, Peter Mueller is listed as #13
The list looks like this ( and my two cents on each):
1. Ray Whitney (Carolina) – He’s 37 years old, small, and looking for an extension once his deal is up July 1st.. Top 6 scoring ability, but an expensive rental, at best.
2. Marty Biron (Islanders) – We don’t need any mroe goalies, let alone old goalies.
3. Niclas Wallin ( Carolina) – Big Swedish D-man would have to waive his NTC to go anywhere, and San jose’s supposedly been trying to get something done. Even if the Coyotes did want him, you’d question why they’d want him when their D corps leads the league in goals scored.
4. Alexei Ponikarovsky ( Toronto) – One of my favorites on this list, but the big question is ‘How much will Brian Burke try and rip from us in exchange? He might be a good spark, considering Upshall’s been put out to pasture for the rest of the year. Then again, who knows how long we could keep him around anyways?
5. Matt Cullen ( Carolina) – “energy winger”. We have a plethora of those. No need to beat a dead horse.
6. Sheldon Souray ( Edmonton) Probably the most coveted defenseman on the list, his stock’s probably dropped due to him only having one hand ( broken during a fight), and limiting his availability ‘til Playoff time. That, and he won’t waive his NTC unless he gets to go to one of 6 teams on his personally selected list. WTF? Get paid, old man, and shut up.
7. Michael Ryder ( Boston) – streaky, waste of time. I won’t waste yours, so don’t waste mine. Bottom line – Sell, sell , sell.
8. Ethan Moreau ( Edmonton) – Capain Oil seems like a walking-on-eggshells deal, but his experience and leadership, topped with a deft touch around the net ( when he’s got some help) could prove a wonderful addition to the top 6. Hell, the top 9. Question is, can we afford his salary?
9.Colby Armstrong (Atlanta) – Energy player blahblahblah no hands blah blah blah.
10. Steve Ott ( Dallas) – He’s great. If you like taking terrible penalties. And someone who is as annoying to look at on the bench as it is to watch him play. Look, I know the Dallas people love this guy, but i kinda wish Steven Seagal would just show up in his C***puncher shirt and put him out of his misery.
11. Dan Hamuis ( Nashville) – Defensive forward. Boring as hell. then again, he might fit Tippett’s defense-first strategy to a tee. Not worth the phone calls and paperwork, in my opinion. It ain’t that broke, so not worth trying to fix it.
12. Marty Turco ( Dallas) – Poor goalie. He used to be a beast. Sure, he’s gotten little to no help from his blueline, but I think we’re looking pretty good in goal. Watching Turco this season reminds me a lot of watching Bryzgalov last year. I thought bryz had lost his mind, but it turns out he just lost the help from his D. I’m sure Turco will have a chance to rejuvenate himself somewhere else….. Like Atlanta. Or Philly.
13 Peter Mueller ( Phoenix) – Everyone knows I could go either way on this. If Mueller keeps doing what he’s been doing, it could be a great save for Phoenix. But with his emproved play as of late, he’s also lifted his price tag for any trade possibilities in the next few days. SI seems to agree with me, aside from the fact they think Mueller’s gonna stay.
From SI.com:
Two weeks ago, I would have said it was 50/50 that the Coyotes would listen to offers for the disappointing third-year forward. Now, after a couple of dynamite performances alongside Shane Doan on the top line, the odds of him being dealt have decreased significantly. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Phoenix may decide they need to make a splash heading into the playoffs, but they’d have to be dazzled by the offer.
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1002/nhl.trade.bait/content.13.html#ixzz0eiLSr5AT
Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Feb 5, 2010 6:16 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
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Pacific Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose
|
69 | 43 | 16 | 10 | 96 |
|
Phoenix
|
70 | 43 | 22 | 5 | 91 |
|
Los Angeles
|
68 | 40 | 23 | 5 | 85 |
|
Dallas
|
69 | 30 | 26 | 13 | 73 |
|
Anaheim
|
69 | 32 | 29 | 8 | 72 |
(updated 3.18.2010 at 6:02 AM MST)
Coyotes Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
@
Florida
|
Thu 03/18 | 4:30 PM MST |
|
Chicago
|
Sat 03/20 | 6:00 PM MST |
|
@
Dallas
|
Sun 03/21 | 4:00 PM MST |
|
@
Chicago
|
Tue 03/23 | 5:30 PM MST |
|
@
Nashville
|
Thu 03/25 | 5:00 PM MST |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Tampa Bay
|
Tue 03/16 | W 2 - 1 |
|
@
Atlanta
|
Sun 03/14 | SO - W 3 - 2 |
|
@
Carolina
|
Sat 03/13 | W 4 - 0 |
|
Vancouver
|
Wed 03/10 | SO - W 4 - 3 |
|
Anaheim
|
Sat 03/06 | W 4 - 0 |
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
