Tomorrow the Phoenix Coyotes will be facing off for the second time this week against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. The Yotes won the past game at the United Center in overtime with a goal from Mikkel Boedker, putting the Coyotes up 2-1 for the series. The Yotes are going to need to fight to build that lead, they have been having some line up problems with players being injured like Martin Hanzal and Lauri Korpikoski and Raffi Torres receiving a suspension for his hit on Chicago's Marian Hossa.

Despite some setbacks the Coyotes have still managed to win though, they played the entire third game without Hanzal and Korpi, and after he delivered the hit Torres didn't seem to be himself, luckily players like Boedker, Rostislav Klesla, and Ray Whitney stepped up with goals. The Wizard had previously been kinda quiet during the playoffs but he seems to have woken up with his goal and 9 shots on goal, a franchise record for SOG during a playoff game. Hopefully The Wizards goal is a sign that the Prime Line is going to be stepping up the offense, although without Hanzal they may not have the same chemistry, although Antoine Vermette has been playing with Radim Vrbata and Ray Whitney and his play has been pretty solid during the first two.

The Blackhawks have not had much success against the Yotes at their home this season. The Yotes won the 2 regulation games and the United Center, and they lost the first playoff game their. That being said they played pretty solid their last game, they managed to score first and they stole the momentum after the Coyotes tied the game the first time. Corey Crawford has remained pretty solid throughout the series in the net, and he is likely to keep up that level of play for the next few games. The Hawks did suffer a pretty big setback with the loss of Marian Hossa, who is going to be sitting out for this game at least, but that may motivate them to rally back against the Coyotes.

Five For Winning

1. Score first. The Coyotes have yet to score first against the Blackhawks during this playoff series which is allowing Chicago to set the pace of the game. The Yotes need to break this trend, take an early lead and maintain it. Its time we had hockey the easy way.

2. Play 20 minute periods and a 60 minute game. Another problem the Yotes have had is that they allow late goals. Last game it was during the last minute of the first period, the first two games it was the last minute of the third period.

3. Physical play. The Coyotes have been good at this, they have played very physical games that can ruin the Blackhawks momentum and keep them in the game. That being said they need to keep it clean.

4. Special teams. The penalty kill has been pretty good during the last few games, only allowing one goal during the series so far. The power play needs to step it up though and capitalize on the opportunities that Chicago gives them when they take penalties.

5. Finish in regulation. Our hearts can't take more overtime. Plus a contest of scoring first doesn't really favor us.

Key Players

Ray Whitney

#13 / Left Wing / Phoenix Coyotes

Height: 5-10

Weight: 180

Born: May 08, 1972

Hopefully Tuesday's goal means that the Wizard is stepping up and is going to be scoring a lot more goals. We need him to lead the offense during the playoffs.

Brent Seabrook

#7 / Defenseman / Chicago Blackhawks

Height: 6-3

Weight: 218

Born: Apr 20, 1985

There is not a Chicago Blackhawks player who makes me more nervous when he has the puck than Brent Seabrook during this series. He needs to be watched and controlled for the rest of the series.

Starting Goalies

Mike Smith

#41 / Goalie / Phoenix Coyotes

Height: 6-4

Weight: 215

Born: Mar 22, 1982

Mike Smith has remained solid during the stretch, he hasn't really allowed any soft goals that come to mind. He needs to keep up this level of play for the next few games though, although he seems to be up to the task.

Corey Crawford

#50 / Goalie / Chicago Blackhawks

Height: 6-2

Weight: 200

Born: Dec 31, 1984

Crawford was thought to be the weak link of the Chicago system but he has remained solid during the series. The Yotes need to keep shooting on him though, Boedker proved that shots from anywhere can go in during the playoffs.

Injuries

Martin Hanzal is likely to be a game day decision this game as well.

Marian Hossa will be resting during this game. At the time of writing this there hasn't been an official report on his injury.

Remember to come by tomorrow for the game day thread and you can head over to Second City Hockey to check out their perspective.