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The Coyotes roll into Detroit tonight in Game 3 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series against the Red Wings today on National TV. After last game's unsuccessful run and gun performance the focus is certainly going to be on playing the same hard hitting defensive game the Coyotes tried to play in the first game of this series. The only upside to last game was really the fact that we did see that the Coyotes can put goals on the scoreboard, they just can't be doing it in a game that's a totally different tempo than what they usually play. People are trying to make something of the Joe Louis Arena being some place the Coyotes won't be able to play effectively. They did it once already this year, there's no reason to think that the Coyotes wouldn't be able to take a game again.
It was a group effort in the loss on Friday and it'll need to be a group effort to get the win today. That's nothing new for this team though as one of the common themes throughout the year has been that of a pack mentality where everyone does everything together. That and bouncing back after tough losses. This is a team that doesn't ride anything too high or to low just like their coach Dave Tippett. After the game one win he said that there were things to work on. After the game two loss he said there were lots of things to work on. This is a group that doesn't stop working. Even when everything goes right there's something they work on. They reset everything after each game and take them one at a time. Now I just have to take a cue from them and focus on one at a time without worrying about the rest of the series.
As for the Red Wings, they broke out of the defensive traps that Phoenix had setup and forced more than a few errors. They'll look for repeat performances from the big guns, though I'd doubt that Zetterberg or anyone else puts up a hattie again. They will however look to dictate the speed of the game early in their own building. That's simply something that cannot happen if the Coyotes want to come out with a win.
Starting Goalies
He wasn't on his sharpest last game, but he also didn't have a lot of support from his team. Turnovers in your own zone giving the other team breakaways by pretty much everyone to some skilled players doesn't much help. At least it should give the Wings some sort of false belief that Bryz is soft.
Anyone saying that Bryz looked weak also has to admit that Howard wasn't at his best either. Those rebounds that he had been holding in have suddenly returned and not been all that great for Detroit. The Yandle Goal, the Doan goal, and many chances have been because rebounds got sent into the slot rather than to the boards. If we continue crashing him we'll get our goals.
Key Players
Many broadcasters have called this series Keith Yandle's coming out party. He's already gotten 2 goals and has been solid defensively. He's really someone to keep an eye on in this game.
Let's hope his skating stays the same? He was falling all over the ice to begin the game on Friday. Maybe we cen get him to keep it up? Not likely, but I guy can hope right?