Coyotes comin up: Anaheim, Anaheim, and more Anaheim in uncommon Home, Home, and road series.

Well this is the season of anomalies. With the lockout shortened season many things may be strange. But a 3 game series between like teams just doesn’t happen in the regular season.

March 31, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Rod Pelley (14) looks to score on Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) in the third period at Jobing.com. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

It is a great opportunity for Phoenix to move up the Conference and Pacific division standings. Will be a true test to the fate of our squad this season. A good showing could propel us into the playoff chase while losing all 3 could as quickly end it for us. Radim Vrbata and Martin HHanzal are out Saturday but hopefully will return in this series sooner rather than later.

The defense has been inconsistent at best.  So has Mike Smith. When the defense and Smitty are on we are as good as any team in the league. When they struggle and misplay the puck they lead us to the league’s worst. The offense will get a few goals each game by hook or by crook. We just aren’t a team to win by giving up 4 goals or more. 2 goals or less and we are highly competitive. 4 or more is disaster. It seems 3 is the number.

If not for Chicago playing lights out in the first half of the season Anaheim would be the story in the NHL. They were bottom feeders last season but now are playing very well and can score with the best as well as shut teams down. They will be a very tough test. If the Wild put on a offense drill at times the Ducks will be no easy out.

This may come down to match ups as the Duck 1st line are on fire while the Coyotes 1st line has dissipated. Injuries have not been great to Phoenix but no room for excuses. ‘Yotes must play a gritty game with blocks and sticks everywhere.

Upcoming series dates and times:

Saturday 6pm Ducks at Coyotes

Monday 7pm Ducks at Coyotes

Wednesday 8pm Coyotes at Ducks