One Fan's Perspective

The Phoenix Coyotes travel to Dallas Wednesday night and they face a confident team playing at a very high level.

How high a level?

From January 29th, the Stars have ripped off a 13-3 record. During the same stretch your Phoenix Coyotes have put together a 6-7-3 record. Clearly, one team has been flying while the other has been learning to fly.

The three losses for the Stars came courtesy of the Nashville Predators, the Calgary Flames, and the Phoenix Coyotes. Therefore, it is clear that the Coyotes know how to play this team.

However, the Stars are a different team now with the addition of Brad Richards who scored five assists in his debut with his new team against the Chicago Blackhawks. When I lived in Florida, I had the privilege of seeing Richards play when he skated with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and while I’m personally happy seeing him in the Western Conference, I am not thrilled with the prospect of having to face the guy multiple times within our division.

Still, even with the new firepower that the Stars have added, the Coyotes are still capable of winning the game Wednesday and they need to. Wayne Gretzky hasn’t given up and why would he (and what would anyone expect)? Despite the realistic expectations to the contrary, it’s the head coach’s job to see the optimism and to grasp the situation for all of us that the season is not yet over.

Expect Dan Carcillo to sit due to his knee being re-injured in the game against the St. Louis Blues. Enver Lisin, who has 16 goals and 17 assists in 51 games for the San Antonio Rampage this season.

Mike York is day-to-day due to a hip pointer. York has been a solid player lately so hopefully, his injury isn’t too serious.

Tags: Dallas Stars, Hockey, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes by pbcoyotes
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Winning last night’s game could have catapulted the Phoenix Coyotes over teams into the seventh playoff spot due to the number of wins and games played. The game last night was their second opportunity to perform this feat and based on the parity found among the bottom half of the playoff tier, any chance to leapfrog over teams is truly golden.

When the Coyotes faced the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Nashville Predators, they had the chance to capitalize by winning those games but couldn’t do it. They flirted with dropping out of the playoff race altogether.

Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they somehow turned it on by winning three in a row, beating the Dallas Stars and beating the Los Angeles Kings twice. In that streak, they outscored their opposition 13 – 5. The Coyotes played an intense brand of hockey, and treated their fans for a quick preview that this young team can hang in the playoffs.

If my captain got into a fight standing up for me, rest assured I’m giving him my 110% – no matter what it would cost me during the game. If I made a mistake, it would only be through aggressive play. If I couldn’t score, I’m hitting and playing solid defense.

Anything within the rules to win.

Doan took care of Dion Phaneuf but the Coyotes didn’t take care of him. Phaneuf stepped up for his team by scoring two goals and Jerome Iginla showed what he was made of with a goal of his own, but most importantly, the Calgary Flames let everyone know they were in for playoff hockey. They know how to play this style and the Coyotes showed that they have much to learn.

Don’t take my word for it. Listen to what the head coach says:

I couldn’t agree more. Wayne Gretzky could have taken the cheap and easy way out with an excuse. Instead, he placed the credit right where it should have been, the Calgary Flames who outplayed the Phoenix Coyotes.

What does the captain say? Pretty much the same thing:

Good news is that all is not lost – the playoff window is still open, but it’s starting to close. However, wins are vital, but if you asked me if we would be talking about playoffs back in the summer, or in early fall, I would have called you crazy.

The Colorado Avalanche comes to town Friday night.

Tags: Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Hockey, Los Angeles Kings, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes by pbcoyotes
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For the past few games, we have seen a Phoenix Coyotes hockey club play passive, defensive minded hockey. With the current personnel, the only way they will have a chance to win games is through an aggressive forecheck where every member on every line goes all out. However, during the most recent stretch, we didn’t see this brand of hockey and Ilya Bryzgalov had been less than stellar.

After flirting with a playoff spot, and holding the eighth spot for a time, they dropped a few points back and they needed to regroup.

Tonight, the Phoenix Coyotes’ identity returned for most of the game. They had people and pucks to the net and Bryzgalov, for the second game in a row, has been absolutely outstanding.

When Shane Doan is absent from the team, there is a noticeable difference. The presence he brings his teammates is invaluable and with the first goal of the night scored by the Captain, it set the tone for good things to come.

I was impressed with Daniel Carcillo’s play tonight as well. He stayed as disciplined as he possibly could and found a way to score a timely goal. If he continues that type of play, he won’t be sent down again.

Seeing Mike Zigomanis return also was nice. The Coyotes have been absolutely dreadful on the face-off dot, and Zigomanis won all of his draws.

The best part was snapping the Stars’ winning streak at seven games. It’s time for the Coyotes to pull a stretch like that of their own.

So they’re back and I’m back, for the next three weeks at least. After that, who knows. Remember, I’m not going anywhere, just anticipating a slow down from what I’m usually able to do.

Next up: the Los Angeles Kings.

Tags: Dallas Stars, Hockey, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes by pbcoyotes
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