Coyotes-Red Wings Preview
Dave Vest
GLENDALE -- The Coyotes will try to snap a three-game losing streak on Thursday when they play the final game of a three-game trip against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. The puck drops at 4:30 p.m. (Arizona time).
Ilya Bryzgalov, who relieved backup goalie
Jason LaBarbera after one period on Tuesday at Ottawa, will start in goal vs. Detroit.
The Coyotes (2-3-3) are struggling to find consistency on both ends of the ice to complement Bryzgalov's impressive play.
"We're a little off right now," Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney told NHL Live. "...All and all we're still searching for the right mix (and) the right chemistry. Some of the offensive players we have haven't produced at the level that we need them to produce so we're like some other teams - we have some work to do."
Defensemen have scored Phoenx's past three goals.
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| Keith Yandle skates vs. Detroit in the playoffs. Photo by Getty Images. |
Keith Yandle netted his first of the season in Tuesday night's 5-2 loss at Ottawa. Yandle's name has been mentioned in trade rumors the past few days but Maloney told NHL Live! that Yandle is not on the market.
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Keith Yandle is a tremendous player for us, he's got star potential and he's got a very, very good contract," Maloney said. "He would be the last guy the Phoenix Coyotes would be looking to move at this stage. I laugh when I hear and see these kind of things."
Detroit (5-1-1) has won three games in a row, including a 2-1 overtime victory over the Coyotes in Glendale on Oct. 16.
Backup Chris Osgood will start in goal for the Red Wings.
Center Mike Modano has not contributed a point in the past six games after scoring a goal in his debut with Detroit on Oct. 8.
"Over time, you just keep doing good things and the chances will be there," Modano told NHL.com. "Once you break through, you kind of get on a roll. You just can't get too caught up in it. The tide will turn eventually and we'll start getting more chances. The puck will find its way in eventually."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Todd Walsh of Fox Sports Arizona contributed to this preview.
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| Bryzgalov |
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Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has just one regulation loss in his six starts (2-1-3), and a 2.65 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. |
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| Zetterberg |
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Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg has notched eight points in his past three games, including two goals and two assists vs. Anaheim on Oct. 23. |
- The Coyotes played the Red Wings five times at Joe Louis Arena last season, including three times in the playoffs. Phoenix won three of the five games.
- Coyotes centers Vernon Fiddler and Eric Belanger rank 12th and 15th, respectively, in the NHL in faceoff percentage. Fiddler has won 59.4 percent of his draws; Belanger has won 58.4 percent.
- This game can be seen on Fox Sports Arizona and can be heard on XTRA Sports 910. A link to the radio broadcast will be provided at phoenixcoyotes.com at 4:30 p.m.
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