Tonight the Coyotes visit Los Angeles to play the Kings after a very brief one game "home-stand" in which they disposed of the Flames by a score of 3-2.
In that game the Coyotes were lucky to escape with a win after blowing an excellent first period that saw them up two goals. In the second, the Coyotes were awful, barely showing up to play. In the third, they received a magically insane six straight powerplays and were able to finally score the winner, which you may recall was captain Shane Doan's 350th career goal.
If Phoenix can win tonight, they will surpass the idle Stars for 8th in the West.
The Kings, who had won eight straight coming off the Olympic Break, have lost two in a row and will be looking to rebound against the Coyotes.
Martin Erat is still out with his concussion, but may play Thursday. In other injury news, Martin Hanzal is expected to play tonight. His return makes the Coyotes a way better team, adding size and scoring down the middle.
While coach Dave Tippet was quoted as saying everyone but Erat was available, it appears that Summers will again play for Schlemko. Personally, nothing against Schlemko, but I like the speed of Summers and I can't wait for Morris and Schlemko to move on so that we can see Summers and Gormely (and Connor Murphy) on a regular basis.
It should also be noted that according to Coyotes reporter Sarah McLellen, that Michalak didn't skate in practice and was replaced by Gormley. However, she did say that Michalak played on Saturday without skating in the afternoon, so it's unclear who will play.
Michalek is one of the Coyote's best defenseman, so it will be very hard to beat the Kings without him in the lineup.
While the Kings are in 3rd and seven points up on the Coyotes, a win tonight would put Phoenix only five points back, which is not impossible to make up. At this point, the Coyotes capturing 3rd seems unlikely because the Kings have been so hot coming off the break, but they were also terrible heading into the break and have not been a consistent team all year.
It is unclear at this point who will start in net. You would assume Smith, but there was some concern that he was not feeling well and that Greiss would start.
---- Elliotte Friedman, one of the absolute best writers/reporters working in the NHL today had this to say in his weekly 30 Thoughts column, which should be required reading for all fans of the NHL:
For a long time, the Coyotes' trade target was a centre. But with Martin Hanzal, Mike Ribeiro and Antoine Vermette all under contract for at least another year -- and Max Domi coming -- that may not be priority No. 1. They've had some weird games (for them), struggling to lock down the kinds of leads smothered for years. They've got a talented blue-line (and Gormley isn't the only one coming), but feel they're missing another Adrian Aucoin or Michal Rozsival-type defender.
Interesting stuff, and not the only Coyotes related tidbit in his column this week. I don't know, however, that I buy this completely. I honestly think that if Maloney's number one priority isn't acquiring at least 2 players who can be on a first line, then they should just can him now. I guess what Friedman means by an Adrian Aucoin-type player is someone who can fill the role of Derick Morris, now that Morris is 35 and kind of slow - a second pairing guy, who is a veteran and good defensively, capable of playing the PK, even the PP in a pinch, and giving a solid 15-20 every night.
I personally would disagree that getting that kind of player should be a top priority, though that might be why I blog for the Coyotes instead of manage them. I would be perfectly happy going into next season with a blue line of
OEL - Michalek Yandle - Stone Gormley - Murhpy / Summers
However, this lineup is extremely young and it may make sense to add a veteran presence to stabilize things a bit. It is, however, a little premature to have this discussion since Yandle may be moved for a forward (although watching him and OEL on the PP is a thing of beauty and I might be loathe to break it up...I vacillate daily on this topic). Or, if not Yandle, one of the young guys in a package? The important thing is is that Maloney has options and it promises to be an interesting (and hopefully short) summer.
Thanks for reading.
Twitter:Coyotes1234