Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

That’s exactly what the Phoenix Coyotes must do. Continue to push on and get points. Make a playoff push that could propel them to the post season for the 4th straight year under Coach Dave Tippett.

That begins tonight in Big D with an early season rematch versus the Stars. The Coyotes lost a hard fought opener 4-3 but that is really not an indication of who both teams really are. The Coyotes are not playing mistake prone defense and this game should be a lower scoring, tightly played game. Mike Smith should get the start returning from a groin injury. He left with 11 mins left in the opening period several games back.

Mike Smith return means the services of Chad Johsnon will no longer be required for now. Johnson was a stud in net taking over for a struggling LaBarbera but more than that a boost to a struggling Defense. Coyotes seemed to rally around the youngster with 2 straight solid performances.

Puck drops Friday night 6:30 pm at American Airlines Center and Saturday night 6 pm here at Jobing.com arena in Glendale, AZ.

Saturday night will mark the return of Raffi Torres from suspension.  With Martin Hanzal and Rostislav “Rusty” Klesla out with injuries of late, Torres will be a drink of fresh water. Torres was suspended for a brutal check on Marian Hossa during the playoffs last season versus the Chicago Blackhawks.

In this man’s opinion it was a hard check but no dirtier than Dustin Brown’s hit after the whistle. Both victims made weird moves at the last second to make the impact much worse. Welcome back Raffi!

Radim Vrbata continued on with his recent hot streak as he scored his 15th goal of the year. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

In front of a soldout crowd of predominately Blackhawks fans, the Coyotes got their fourth straight victory in defeating the defending Stanley Cup champs 3-2 in a shootout. Radim Vrbata was the only player on either team to score during the shootout. (more…)