I'm not sure how they'll do it, but the Coyotes need to forget Wednesday's game against the Lightning as much as humanly possible. Hopefully they skated a little, but rested up a lot since they just looked completely gassed. The Blue Jackets don't exactly have the same luster perhaps as the other teams we've played on this roadtrip, but what they are at this point is desparate. They have a couple games in hand on everyone in the west, but they've got to make those count for something as they're still 4 points back of the five team logjam at 70 points that occupy the 6 through 10 spots in the conference. Being in the last quarter of the season those points get harder to come by with each game. That being said, they have quietly gone on a little run lately having a 7-2-1 record over the last 10. That kind of pace could get them back to contention if other teams help them out. The Coyotes need to not be one of those teams.
The Jackets have gone on this run thanks to the players that they usually need to have step up. Rick Nash has a five game point streak going and scored 6 goals over the last 7 games. Goalie Steve Mason has been pretty good as well recording a shutout in his last game and winning three in a row.
For the Coyotes the defense just looked awful last game, but hopefully that's just a blip on the radar. Overall the team has gotten back to playing responsible D, but is really starting to miss guys like Adrian Aucoin and Ed Jovanovski. The offense too has done well for itself, and looking for a boost the team called up Brett MacLean from the rampage to at least make it so that the team can dress 12 forwards instead of 7 D like last game.
Starting Goalies
Key Players
While the team may have stunk up the joint, Captain Shane Doan did extend his points streak to 6 games when he collected an assist on a Kyle Turris goal.
He's the main offensive threat and is trying to carry the team back into playoff contention. Also I hate him.