Meanwhile, their opponents are in the 7th spot and tout a 6-3-3 record on the road.  Even though one of those losses came at the hands of the Coyotes, it means nothing if they can’t put more goals in the net (and the Coyotes are once again last in the NHL in that category).

Defensively, the Coyotes are playing the system that head coach Dave Tippett has given them – they rank fourth in goals against and allow the third fewest shots on goal.  Defense wins can win the tight games (and championships), but the scoring has to be there.

What we would like to see is the other skill players play like these guys: Shane Doan, Daniel Winnik, Vern Fiddler, Petr Prucha, and to some extent Scottie Upshall.  The unique aspect about these players is that when a play doesn’t go quite right, they keep skating towards the puck.  Next thing we see is that there is a shot on goal.

On the other hand, Peter Mueller and Robert Lang seem to hesitate after they attempt a play.  That split second of stoppage causes the opposition to take that rebound or turnover and push it back up ice in the other direction.  If they handled themselves like the other players I wrote, the results may be beneficial, even to the point of keeping the puck down at their end.

The Coyotes know that they have to shake things up a little and recalled Mikkel Boedker from the San Antonio Rampage.  It will be his second visit with the Desert Dogs this season.  Will they choose to play him?  If so, who sits?  Hopefully, he will make the impact he needs to stay.  I really enjoyed his play here last year.

Five for Howling has an excellent preview for tonight’s game and Defending Big D has the other side of it.  What’s funny is that Defending Big D writes about a Dallas Morning News article about Brad Richards, and Five for Howling suggests that the Coyotes should make Brad Richards sad.  It’s a synergy, I guess! 

The reading material for me today also included:

From the Arizona Republic: Jovanovksi and Michalek Back with Team

From The Sporting News: Stars and Coyotes Preview

Luke Lapinski has a preview from Phoenix Coyotes.com