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It's our next to last game of the regular season and rather than wrapping things up and thinking about what to build up for next year, we're looking at how these games effect our possible playoff opposition. That's just a great feeling to be looking at the present rather than the future of the team. Sure We're all concerned about the of the ice crap, but we get at least a couple more weeks of Coyotes hockey and hopefully more.
One thing that should hopefully help us out tonight and into the playoffs is that the monkey on Shane Doan's back is hopefully gone. He finally scored a goal after a 23 game drought and man did it feel good for him and for the crowd last night. We can only hope that he goes on a tear from that. While last night was far from perfect we really truned it on and need to keep that 3rd period intensity we had for the whole game against the Kings.
If not, the Kings could leapfrog over both Nashville and Detroit to become the 5th seed and our playoff opponent with a W. As it stands right now they'd get the Sharks in a 2-7 matchup. While we've played well this year, you have to believe that they'd prefer to play us in the first round rather than the Sharks. They've won 3 of the 5 meetings this year, but we haven't seen each other since December. They have yet to see Stempniak or Wolski with our team so there's at least a small weakness there to exploit.
Starting Goalies:
As is usual LaBarbera gets the second half of the back-to-back games and gives Bryzgalov a break until Saturday. Jason has been solid in goal even if he hasn't managed all the Ws. a 2.16 GAA and a .929 sv% is nothing to scoff at for a backup.
Currently embroiled in a bit of a goalie controversy, Quick has played well, but is getting pushed by Erik Ersberg for the starting position. One would think that would be the case for an Olympic goalie, but he's found himself there not so much because of his poor play, but decent play from Ersberg and Jonathan Bernier looking spectacular in his recent games.
Key Players
With 2 assists in each of the last two games he's really starting to look like a playmaking defenseman.
A goal and an assist in the last game against the Ducks, and also I don't care enough to pick someone else.