Coyotes need points badly at the end of their Western Canada trip
By Troy Baker
No room for error. The Phoenix Coyotes are on the edge looking into the abyss of a playoffless season.
April 8, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) defends the goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
If Phoenix and it’s fans have any hopes to make it to the post season they most likely need to win the next 3 games. Edmonton and Calgary are definitely winnable games. San Jose at home is too and when you are a desperate hockey team you have to put the work in. Calgary is out of the running and just shipped Iginla so that should be a given. Edmonton features a fast paced youth movement and is never an easy out especially in Canada.
Dave Tippett should have the boys prime and ready to make a serious push moving forward. If Mike Smith plays like he has since returning from injury we should be in good shape. Problems this season have little to do with goal tending. Defense lapsed early then offense failed to pay it’s electricity bill for a while. This has been a weird season all the way around but no excuses will make the playoffs, just hard work.
It all starts tonight with a great effort in Edmonton. Hard work includes hitting and finishing those checks, getting to the front of the net, and sending in a defensemen every time the opportunity presents itself.
Hopefully the new youth infusion can give us the legs needed along with veterans who can guide all of them to a nice stretch. In the final 9 games the Coyotes HAVE to win at least 5-6 but most likely 6-7 to make the playoffs. If only 5 wins they would need to go to OT in the rest of them which is hard to rely on.
Everyone Howl loud and bring our boys home with a winning streak.