Coyotes escape blow out, take a 3-4 loss

Coming off the momentum of a second goal against the Detroit Red Wings early into the third period, the Coyotes gained a power play that quickly turned into a five-on-three power play. While the team was in almost complete control for the extent of power play and was continually able to set up scoring chances, it seemed like the Coyotes were going to fail to take advantage of the extra men. But with assists from Radim Vrbata and Keith Yandle, Shane Doan managed to put the third goal in off a rebound to further escape the blow out they were heading for.

All three off Phoenix’s goals were scored on power plays despite the fact that the team went into the first round of playoffs with a regular season power play percentage of 15.9 (22nd in the league) and 46 power play goals out of 289 opportunities according to NHL.com.

Overcoming their continual trouble with power plays was not enough to get the Coyotes a win over the Red Wings, but they were not too far off. They gave a hopeful run, though, after the Red Wings went ahead by three during the first period. The Red Wing’s scored their fourth and final goal in the second period and after a goal from Vrbata, the momentum switched. A fast-paced third period helped the Coyotes lessen the four–point gap with the Red Wings and almost tie the game.

Even with a tense last minute push, the Coyotes could not get a fourth goal. The Red Wing lead the series 2-0 after 4-3 win.

The Red Wings had goals from Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom, Brian Rafalski and Darren Helm. Goalie Jimmy Howard had 30 saves to Ilya Bryzgalov’s 27.

The next game for the Yotes will be Monday, April 18 at home. The game will start at 7:30 p.m. local time.