Coyotes play inconsistent hockey

PHOENIX, AZ – After a 6-game slide in the schedule, the Phoenix Coyotes have strung together a series of impressive games. The Coyotes have gone 4-2-0 since their slide and now face the Blackhawks Sunday night in an effort to snap a 4-game losing streak to the Hawks. The most recent contest for the Coyotes was in St Louis where they lost to the Blues. “For about 10 minutes at the end of the second they outplayed us badly,” said Shane Doan following the most recent loss in St Louis to the Blues.

Doan has six points in the last four games, including two goals. “We can’t as a young team afford to have that happen.” Phoenix is an even .500 through 26 games at 12-12-2 for 26 points and 10^th in the Western Division playoff race. They trail Sunday’s opponent, Chicago, by a single point and a victory over the Blackhawks puts the ‘Yotes in 8^th position. A recent 6-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs showed promise for the Coyotes this season. “We’re learning how to play the game every single night,” said
Derek Morris , who had two assists in the game. “We’re doing a good job of realizing that it’s going to be tight, it’s going to be hard all year. We have to stick to the system and play smart.
“The Maple Leafs game was a relief and source of pride for Phoenix Head C oach Wayne Gretzky. “We scored some timely goals and guys came up large when they had to,” Gretzky said. “Marty (Hanzal) was tremendous, especially early in the game when the game was on the line and he was a very important part of the game.” After Sunday’s match in Chicago, the Coyotes head for Dallas and date with the Stars on December 10^th before heading home for game with the Wild on the 11^th and the Red Wings on the 13^th. This is a week that can make a season or put a dent in post season plans in the desert. The past few seasons have seen furious finishes to each regular season for Phoenix. The Coyotes need a sense of urgency in the mid-season to put some distance between themselves and the number nine slot in the Western Conference standings. Contact the author at lou.lafrado@prohockeynews.com