Last night, like every night from here on in, was the Most Important Game of the Season. The Coyotes were not able to get the needed two points, lsoing 2-1, but they played a great game and lost in the shootout, which is basically a coin-flip.
Coach Dave Tippett said after the game that it was a "fast, hard and tight game." He isn't wrong - the game had a playoff atmosphere and the Coyotes played well. Only a flukey goal that hit the post, Greiss's leg and then bounced in the net prevented the team from getting the win. Sometimes, that's just the way she goes.
The Coyotes out-shot the Jets 29-21 and - in my opinion - seemed to carry the play for the most part. The final score is unfortunate, but at least one point was earned, making it a tie for 8th with the Stars, who destroyed a lifeless Capitals team 5-0. Though Dallas does have a game in hand, the race remains incredibly tight. The Coyotes have seven games left.
One of those games is tonight against the Kings. It's another "must win," and the Kings are nine points ahead of the Coyotes and would have to lose almost all of their remaining games for Phoenix to have any kind of chance to catch them. That seems unlikely as the Kings are 11-4 this month and seem to be hot going into the playoffs.
Phoenix has won the last three games against the Kings. They will - presumably - start Griess again tonight, as Mike Smith, although he has been skating, remains out with a knee injury. There is no word yet on the status of Schlemko or Moss who both missed last night's game with injuries.
Thanks for Reading.