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Coyotes @ Blue Jackets Preview: These Guys Again

By Carl Putnam
Presswire

The Phoenix Coyotes get little time to lick their wounds after losing their third straight game on Monday night in Pittsburgh. Tonight they are in Columbus to take on the team who accounted for one of the other losses in the streak, the Blue Jackets. The Coyotes are now 0-2 against the worst team in the NHL. A team in the fight to make the playoffs like Phoenix can't afford to be giving away points to lesser competition. The Coyotes looked much better late in the game last night than they had in their previous two losses, so hopefully that is a sign of things to come tonight.

Five For Winning

1. Score First. The Coyotes have put themselves in a hole in 1st periods lately. The trend needs to stop.

2. Someone not named Whitney needs to step up. The Wizard has been consistent whether the Yotes are winning or losing. He potted another goal last night. His teammates need to pick up the slack.

3. Draw penalties. Columbus has the worst penalty kill in the league. Even the Yotes power play should be able to score in this game.

4. Don't get caught up in the homecoming. This will be Antoine Vermette's first game in Columbus since he was traded last month. In addition Gilbert Brule and Raffi Torres spent time in a Jacket's sweater as well. All three players need to just come out and play their games. Vermette is the most likely to feel the pressure given the timing and the fact he hasn't scored since he became a Coyote.

5. Make Mason miserable. The Yotes need to crash the net and screen the Blue Jacket's netminder as much as possible. With Brett Ledba and Jack Johnson on the Columbus blueline, getting to the front of the net shouldn't be a problem.


Key Players

Lauri Korpikoski

#28 / Left Wing / Phoenix Coyotes

6-1

196

Jul 28, 1986

GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2011 - Lauri Korpikoski 66 14 17 31 6 12 0 3 3 119

The Korpedo has 4 points in the two games the teams have played so far this season. His speed seems to give Columbus fits. A payback shortie wouldn't hurt tonight.

Derick Brassard

#16 / Center / Columbus Blue Jackets

6-1

199

Sep 22, 1987

GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2011 - Derick Brassard 57 12 18 30 -19 30 4 0 2 95

Brassard scored the game winning goal the last time the team's met at Nationwide Arena and like Korpikoski he has 4 points in the two games the team's have faced one another. In addition, he has points in 6 of the Jacket's last 8 games.

Likely Starting Goalies

Jason LaBarbera

#1 / Goalie / Phoenix Coyotes

6-3

234

Jan 18, 1980

GP MIN W L EGA GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
2011 - Jason LaBarbera 16 835 3 7 36 2.59 408 372 .912 0

The Coyotes need their backup netminder to have the game of his season tonight.

Steve Mason

#1 / Goalie / Columbus Blue Jackets

6-4

211

May 29, 1988

GP MIN W L EGA GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
2011 - Steve Mason 36 2028 10 22 113 3.34 1035 922 .891 1

Columbus' starting goalie has had a rough season, though you couldn't tell it when the two teams squared off on Saturday night.

Injuries

Phoenix Coyotes Injuries

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player Injury Type Injury Date
David Schlemko foot 01/08/2012
Derek Morris groin 02/12/2012
Rostislav Klesla other-excused 02/17/2012
Kyle Chipchura wrist 02/19/2012

Columbus Blue Jackets Injuries

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player Injury Type Injury Date
Radek Martinek concussion 10/22/2011
Marc Methot jaw 02/10/2012
Kristian Huselius groin 12/07/2011
Jared Boll foot 02/10/2012


For more information on the Blue Jackets head over to The Cannon.

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