Blackhawks-Coyotes Preview
Share This Story
Some stellar defensive play has helped the Phoenix Coyotes post their longest win streak of the campaign. The Chicago Blackhawks' poor performances in their own end are one reason why they're on the verge of matching their longest skid in five seasons.
The Coyotes will try to earn a fifth straight win and fourth in a row at home Saturday night by taking advantage of a matchup with the struggling Blackhawks, losers of seven straight.
Mike Smith allowed one goal for the third straight game Thursday and that paved the way for Phoenix to claim a 2-1 overtime win over visiting Calgary. Smith stopped 23 shots, and Shane Doan scored the game winner.
"This is how things will be and we need to find ways to get points,'" coach Dave Tippett said. "This game wasn't pretty, but we'll stick the two points in the bank and move forward."
The win streak has the Coyotes (26-21-8) in eighth place in the Western Conference, and they'll try to stay in playoff contention by knocking off a team that's falling down the standings.
Chicago (29-19-7) is currently in sixth but is 0-6-1 over its last seven for its longest skid since dropping eight straight Dec. 30, 2007-Jan. 11, 2008. Its nine consecutive road losses are the most since a franchise-worst, 19-game skid Nov. 10, 2003-Jan. 29, 2004.
The Blackhawks have been outscored 40-22 during that road losing streak and 32-15 in its last seven overall. They gave up three power-play goals in a 5-3 loss at San Jose on Friday and have allowed nine over the past 30 times they've been shorthanded.
Chicago also dropped to 0 for 13 with a man advantage on its nine-game road trip, the team's longest in 18 years.
"We just need to get out of this, and we just have to battle through it," forward Marian Hossa said. "The way this thing is happening isn't any fun right now. If we get an ugly win, we'll be able to get out of it."
The Blackhawks have four stops to go on their miserable trek and will try to turn their fortunes around with a third consecutive win in Phoenix. After Corey Crawford struggled yet again, they could turn to veteran Ray Emery to help them earn that victory.
Emery won't have Steve Montador (upper body) to help him and the status of fellow defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson is unknown because of the same kind of ailment.
While Crawford has given up 10 goals over his past two games, Emery hasn't been much better lately with 10 allowed over his last three appearances. He gave up four during a 5-2 loss in Colorado on Tuesday.
Emery made his only start against Phoenix at Jobing.com Arena on Nov. 21, 2009, and gave up two goals in a 3-1 defeat for Philadelphia. Smith, meanwhile, has won all three of his starts against the Blackhawks while registering a 1.30 goals-against average.
He was in net for a 4-1 win in Chicago on Nov. 29 and a 4-3 shootout victory there Dec. 5.
Jason LaBarbera started a 5-2 home loss Oct. 18. The Blackhawks outshot the Coyotes 27-9 over the first two periods of that win.
Chicago captain Jonathan Toews, who scored in that game, has five goals and two assists in his last five matchups with Phoenix but has two assists on the trip.
Coyotes veteran Ray Whitney has totaled two goals and nine assists in a seven-game point streak. He also has a team-best five points against Chicago this season (two goals, three assists).
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Report: Duncan won't leave Spurs
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan said he has little interest in testing out the free-ag... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
Manager: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says. -
Angels ace Weaver leaves with injury
Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver has left his start against the Yankees in the fir...
NHL Videos
Stanley Cup Preview: X Factors
Posted: May 29, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Posted: May 28, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
Stanley Cup Preview: Coaches & Strategy
Posted: May 28, 2012
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
NHL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 124.95 | Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack |
| Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 | 11.95 | Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick |
| Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Jose_Sharks/browse/featuredproduct/700543/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_700000/ff_700543_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black |
| Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.