The Phoenix Coyotes are shooting for their first four-game
winning streak in almost two years tonight, when they resume a four-game
homestand versus the Detroit Red Wings at Jobing.com Arena.
Phoenix has ripped off three wins in a row, including Saturday's 4-1 victory
versus the Boston Bruins. Keith Yandle had a goal and an assist, while Scottie
Upshall, Adrian Aucoin and Ed Jovanovski each lit the lamp for the Coyotes,
who are aiming for their first four-game winning streak since recording five
consecutive triumphs from December 31, 2007 - January 8, 2008.
Ilya Bryzgalov had 22 saves and Shane Doan contributed three assists in a
winning effort, as Phoenix prepares for its showdown with mighty Detroit.
"I think we can catch them by surprise," Coyotes forward Scottie Upshall said
of the Red Wings on the team's site. "They haven't seen us play yet this year.
We really know what to expect from them. I think they might not really know
what we're all about so far."
The Coyotes will also host Los Angeles on the residency.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings will commence a five-game road trip Thursday against
the Coyotes, Avalanche, Canucks, Oilers and Flames. They have lost two of
their last three games, and are coming off Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss versus
Colorado at Joe Louis Arena.
Justin Abdelkader, Todd Bertuzzi and Valtteri Filppula each scored for the Red
Wings, who blew a 2-0 lead against the Avs.
"It's disappointing having a 2-0 lead and 3-2 toward the end of the game,"
Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom noted on the team's Web site. "We played a
solid game. We had some breakdowns, especially on a couple of goals."
Chris Osgood finished with 26 saves in the loss. On the bright side, Osgood is
5-0-0 with a 2.76 GAA in five games against the Coyotes over the past two
seasons.
Red Wings star forward Pavel Datsyuk has missed the past two contests and is
probable for Thursday's game with an upper body injury. Detroit is already
without center Johan Franzen due to knee surgery.
Detroit went 3-1 against Phoenix in 2008-09 and has won 11 of the past 12
meetings between the clubs.
©2009 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
