The Phoenix Coyotes will look to extend their first real winning streak of the season tonight, and complete a sweep of their western Canada roadtrip tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. The Coyotes didn't have the strongest showing of the year against the Oilers on Friday, but they did show that resilience that got them so far last season. Behind 3-0 the Coyotes fought back to tie it late in the 3rd and take that game to the shootout. Eric Belanger would eventually win the game for the Dogs to complete the comeback. That same effort is going to be needed for and entire game tonight rather than simply playing hard for a period and a half. Reports have Shane Doan returning to the lineup tonight as the coaches and staff cleared him. Kyle Turris will not be in though as after getting boarded early in the Oilers game he later to an errant stick to the head that took him out of the game. Once again Turris misses a chance to play in front of his hometown fans.
The Canucks are going to come out guns blazing as they got absolutely creamed by the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks last night. Roberto Luongo got run from the game after giving up 4 and Cory Schneider didn't far much better giving up another 3. The Goaltending wasn't the major issue though as the Canucks defense just seemed like they were stuck in first gear most of the night as the Hawks skated circles around them. The offense wasn't doing much either as they only got 1 late goal to break the shutout bid. If Alain Vigneault has any control of this team at all, a question yet to be answered, the Canucks won't have a similar effort against us. Unfortunately.
Five for Winning
Start Fast - Not just offensively like the Hawks did, but defensively. For some reason it takes some of the guys a good period to get into playing rhythm. We can't afford mistakes from the D early like the Nolan Yonkman - David Schlemko pair had in Edmonton. If people play like Jovo (amazingly) has lately then everything will be peachy.
Hey Man, Nice Shot - After getting 42, yes 42, shots on goal on Friday the Coyotes have hopefully learned how to put the puck on the net. The first half of the game the team was shooting, but they were all on the perimeter. As the game wore on they actually made those shots from places they could actually score. If the team can start off doing that they should fare well.
No Wonder Twins - As usual, the Sedins are going to be a pair and line to shutdown. Martin Hanzal will be out there a bunch against them and he, along with Radim Vrbata and Ray Whitney will have to step up big time.
O Captain! - Shane Doan returns tonight after the team went on a tear with him out of the lineup. That's not to say the streakiness was on him, but inserting him into the lineup could be a challenge. With a couple of lines finding the chemisty that had eluded the team, Doan might be grinding it out with Vernon Fiddler and either Lee Stempniak or Taylor Pyatt. Hopefully he finds some scoring since he had gone dry before going on IR.
We're going streaking! - Both teams are on streaks. The Coyotes have won 5 in a row, while the Canucks have lost 3 straight. Streaks don't always mean a lot, but one team has the momentum, the other has had some really tough losses. Hopefully both the teams continue their ways tonight.
Key Players
Getting 4th line minutes with Paul Bissonnette is not what most observers were and are expecting from Scottie coming into this season. The struggle to find chemistry with someone following Matthew Lombardi's departure needs to end soon.
Thought of as more of a bruiser, Torres has 7 goals already this year. He's someone to keep an eye on, along with half the Canucks roster.