The Phoenix Coyotes had three-road games during the week of January 9th, 2012 to January 15th, 2012 and finished 0-3 to bring their overall record to 21-18-7 (49 pts) which leaves them two-points away from the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
On Tuesday, January 10th, the Coyotes headed to New York to take on the Eastern Conference leading Rangers. Both goalies, Mike Smith of Phoenix and Henrik Lundqvist of New York, played at the top of their game and the Rangers won 2-1 in an overtime shootout. Smith made 31-saves in the losing effort. Over the last three games he has surrendered three-goals. Radim Vrbata scored the only goal for the Coyotes.
"Vrby (Radim Vrbata) is obviously one of our go-to goal scorers and found a hole in the middle there and capitalized,” Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said after the New York Rangers game. “There are some good things in our game."
The Coyotes continued their road trip with a stop in Detroit to take on the Red Wings, who are currently fifth in the Western Conference and four-points out of first place. Phoenix fell to Detroit 3-2 in an overtime shootout. The loss lowered the Coyotes’ record to 20-17-7 for the season. Radim Vrbata and Taylor Pratt each scored a goal in a losing effort. Goalie Mike Smith continued his outstanding play with 40-saves and has given up six goals in his last four-games.
On the Friday the 13th the Coyotes headed to Columbus to take on the NHL’s worst team the Blue Jackets. Despite playing the faltering Blue Jackets, the Coyotes dropped their third straight in a 4-3 defeat.
News and Notes:
The Coyotes claimed Gilbert Brule (C) off waivers. The former first round draft pick, 6th overall in 2005 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, last played in 2010-11 for the Edmonton Oilers. In 41-games with the Oilers he tallied nine-points, on seven-goals and two-assists.
Coyotes’ defenseman Keith Yandle was selected for the NHL All Star Game. The NHL All Star Game is in Ottawa, Ontario on January 29th, 2012.
Defenseman David Rundblad was assigned to the Portland Pirates of the AHL. The former first round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues (17th overall, 2009) had a pair of assists in two-games with Phoenix this season.
Comments