Phoenix Coyotes at Colorado Avalanche: Game 40 Preview

The Coyotes take a quick trip up to Denver tonight to face the Avalanche in their first of four meetings this season. With the Coyotes' new found goal scoring ability this could turn into a shootout in a hurry. While the Avalanche currently rank fourth in the league with 3.32 goals per game on the season, the Coyotes have over the last 4 games have seemingly located the goal scoring light switch scoring 4.5 per game. It's a small stretch for sure, but when Shane Doan starts finding the scoring touch it seems like everyone else has too. Scottie Upshall suddenly started chipping in, Vernon Fiddler even got a rare one last game. If the Coyotes can pull off a win tonight at Pepsi Center (and depending on other games) They could jump as high as 7th in the West up from 11th. That's how much 2 points can do for a team right now. 

We'll also get to see former Coyotes Kevin Porter and Daniel Winnik who have both been contributors for the Avalanche this year. Porter has had some up and down times, but has played in the majority of the Avs games this year. Winnik has been the same dependable player he was for the Coyotes over his seasons here. Killing penalties and adding in the occasional point. Avs fans seem to like him quite a bit if the posts over at Mile High Hockey are any indication. 

Speaking of the Avs, they may have pulled out an overtime victory the other night against Buffalo, but are only 2-3-2 in the last seven games. Of course that block of games comes right after a six game winning streak, so things balanced out a bit. Even so the Avs only have 3 points on the Coyotes and the Yotes have a game in hand. just another team in the crazy mix of the Western Conference.  

The Bullets

• Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov will not start or be in Denver tonight as he deals with a family medical emergency. No word on what that emergency is, but thoughts with the Bryzgalov family and hopes that it's nothing serious. Matt Climie as been called up from San Antonio will sit on the bench as Jason LaBarbera will get his 11th start of the year.
• Shane Doan will attempt to extend his point streak to 8 tonight. Over the last 7 games he has 12 points total from 6 goals and 6 assists. 
• After being completely off the scoresheet for 10 games, Scottie Upshall has 3 goals and 4 assists in the last 4. 
• In case you were wondering, Peter Mueller still out for the foreseeable future. 
• We can only hope Wojtek Wolski can get geared up for a game for once. He's looked sharper over the last couple game since Brett MacLean was sent back down. Coincidence. I'd like to think not ;) It'll be Wolski's first game in Denver since the trade at the deadline last year. 

Key Players

Shane Doan

#19 / Left Wing / Phoenix Coyotes

Height: 6-1

Weight: 228

Born: Oct 10, 1976

With a point streak like he's had it would be a great thing if he could keep going and really propell this Coyotes team to a long winning streak. 

Matt Duchene

#9 / Center / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 5-11

Weight: 200

Born: Jan 16, 1991

The young guy is certainly the most dangerous guy on the team. With 40 points he'll be a player to focus on. 

Injuries