One Fan's Perspective

The first meeting between the Colorado Avalanche and the Phoenix Coyotes takes place tonight at home. The teams play again on Wednesday night in Colorado.

It’s important for the Coyotes to finally get a win on home ice. The Avalanche have lost two in a row, with a 3-1 loss against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, and they are not a good road team posting a 6-10-2 record.

Conversely, as well all have found out, the Coyotes are struggling at home with a 5-10-1 record. Either both teams are due, or the Coyotes can capitalize and make the Avalanche struggle further.

The Avalanche have lost Joe Sakic for an extended period of time due to hernia surgery. He will be out eight to 12 weeks. He hasn’t played since November 30th. Since that time, the Avalanche have gone 8-5-1 and have outscored their opponents 43 to 36. With Sakic out of the lineup, they have only had one two game losing streaks and their longest winning streak has been capped at three games.

If the Avalanche lose tonight, it will only be the second time this season that the Avalanche have lost three games in a row.

The second period of hockey games has been the best for the Avalanche as they have scored 47 goals, while only giving up 35. The first period has been the worst as their opponents have outscored them 34-25. If the Coyotes get off to a fast start, and hold them in the second period, it will benefit them greatly.

In contrast, the first and third periods are still the worst periods for the Coyotes. They have allowed 28 goals in the first and only put 21 in the net and they have allowed 44 goals in the third but only scored 34. Based on 36 games played, when the Coyotes have scored first they still lead the league in win percentage. No other team that has played the same amount of games as the Coyotes comes close.

In spite of the mental errors from the past two games against the Wild and the Red Wings, Gretzky plans no changes to the lineup. Not only do the Coyotes need to continue their disciplined play, they must either think of this game as a road contest, or stop being so nervous in front of their home crowd.

The crowd’s silence at important moments of the hockey game could be a result of not wanting to add to the anxiety of the players. However, I think that’s counterproductive because there has to be a difference in environment at home than on the road. Some of the athletes feed off of that positive energy.

These next few games are an important stretch for the Coyotes. Winning tonight’s game could give them a better feeling at home as in January they play seven games here versus six games on the road. So I think this game is pretty important to set the table right.

For views on the Colorado Avalanche, feel free to read: Dear Lord Stanley, Mile High Hockey, Jibblescribbits, Jerseys and Hockey Love, and In the Cheap Seats.

Monday Mid-to-Late-Morning Edit:

According to the Denver Post, the Avalanche haven’t defeated Coyotes’ goalie Ilya Bryzgalov in regulation for the past five meetings. The article has a detailed look regarding the statistics of the Russian’s GAA and save percentage.

Head coach Joel Quenneville spoke in glowing terms about the netminder, “We saw him in the playoffs that year and he played great. He’s a big guy, and he’s given (Phoenix) some life. They’re a dangerous team, a young team that works hard, and he covers a lot of net.”

Tags: Colorado Avalanche, Hockey, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes // 1 Comment »