Mar 30, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Jason LaBarbera (1) blocks a shot by San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) during the first period at the HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

With the biggest portion of the stretch ahead, a 3-game Midwest road trip, the pair of home games vs. the Sharks has to be hockey the hard way. Phoenix has done well vs. San Jose but have given away leads a few times. One of those were a 3-1 lead mid 3rd that ended 5-3 Sharks. Unforgivable when you have a 2 goal lead and leave pointless when 9 minutes earlier you were controlling the game.

Of course the Sharks have that big top line but other than that I like the Coyotes chances. San Jose doesn’t exactly have an easy road and even though they are the 5 seed now, they will fight to hold onto a playoff spot with several tough games with 2 back to backs. Both include the Coyotes with the latter being more favorable for Phoenix as that would be the 2nd night. Making this one the most important game of the season. Fans will be raucous and know the ramifications of the game. The Dawgs should be smarting from the Calgary game they let a point slip away.

Mike Smith has played well and it seems each game he give up 1 goal and allows a 2nd on crazy circumstances. Seems like 3 is the magic number. If Phoenix scores 3 goals they are hard to beat.

It all comes down to 11 teams for 8 spots. 4 are a near lock while 2 are close to that. Meaning realistically we’re talking 2 spots for 5 teams. If Phoenix wants to make the post season they should keep up the hard work and upbeat push they display at times. I like pinching a defensemen, charging to the net, and getting vulcanized rubber at the goal.  Most of their goals lately have been tough angle wristers that found their way into the back of the net.

It all starts today and I hope the ‘Yotes go OBama on them and collect that tax.

Mar 30, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) checks Phoenix Coyotes center Martin Hanzal (11) during the first period at the HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The fact is Phoenix scored the opening goal even after the early flurries from the Sharks. Boyd Gordon had a sick backhanded wrister to beat Niemi up top for the early lead. 1-0 Phx

In the second period it was again San Jose who seemed to have control but Phoenix started to control the tempo. The same suffocating style they play when leading. Rob Klinkhammer took a 4 minute high sticking penalty drawing blood on Scott Gomez and although the Coyotes killed off more than half of the power play, Joe Pavelski put one in with just over a minute left to kill mid way through the middle stanza. 1-1 tied after 2 periods.

Radim Vrbata took a sweet pass from Doan in the early 3rd and after one shot he put in his own rebound to give Phoenix the lead again 2-1. It seemed maybe just possibly we could get outplayed but still hold on for the crucial 2 points with the win but unfortunately that was not to be as Vlasic scored on a wrap shot to tie it and force overtime. Barbs appeared to be upset as he thought he was interfered with but the refs let it go to night and frankly everyone there and on TV seemed to like it. Had a playoff feel to it until the final horn.

In the shootout not Coyote could get a puck past Niemi but the Sharks found the 5-hole somehow to beat Jason LaBarbera and the Coyotes to turn things bleak for playoff hopes.

Home to face the hated Kings on Tuesday night at Jobing.com arena in Glendale.