Phoenix Coyotes Hockey on AZ Vibe

Phoenix Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks
United Center – Chicago, Illinois
Puck Drops at 6:30PM Arizona Time
TV: FSN AZ (HD) – RADIO: XTRA 910

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Last five games:
Blackhawks: 2 – 3 – 0
Coyotes: 5 – 0 – 0
Last ten games:
Blackhawks: 6 – 4 – 0
Coyotes: 8 – 2 – 0

The Phoenix Coyotes will take their five game winning streak into the United Center to take on the Chicago Blackhawks who are at the tops of the Central division and second in the Western conference.

The last time these two teams met was on November 5, 2009 where the Coyotes won by a score of 3-1. At that point in the season, it was really wasn’t a true test of teams playing at the best of their abilities as the Coyotes were still getting to know each other as a unit. On the flip side, the Blackhawks had problems with the stability in their goaltending in the early parts of the season.

Now that the two teams are meeting after the half way point in the season, this will be a better measuring stick for both teams as to where they really are in the West. The Blackhawks have solidified their goaltending situation and have probably one of the best 1-2 tandems in the NHL. They also have top 6 penalty kill and power play units in the NHL at this point in the season.

I don’t need to tell Coyotes fans how big of a game this is. If they can get the win tonight, this will be HUGE for the team.

Things to watch for:

Duncan Keith – East Coast Hockey writers have been drooling over Keith as the frontrunner for the Norris Trophy.  I don’t see it.  Especially when there’s other defensemen in the West that have had equal if not better seasons than Keith. To his credit, he is averaging 26:36 minutes of ice time per game.

Paul Bissonnette – He’s quietly been playing some amazing hockey. As a result, his ice time has increased to almost 10 minutes a game.

Vernon Fiddler – Like Bissonnette, Fiddler has been playing some amazing hockey as of late. Why he’s not considered a Selke candidate at this point in the season I don’t know.

Keys to the game:

A defensive repeat of the Predators game – This Blackhawks have too many weapons to be taken lightly. The Coyotes are going to have to bring their ‘A’ games in their defensive zone.

Mueller – Is he going to continue the amazing play as of late? If he can fill Upshall’s void in the lineup, this will be a very exciting time for Coyotes fans.

Offense has got to click tonight – The Blackhawks are a great defensive team and the Coyote need to find a way to negate all their defensive weapons.

Game Notes:

- Coyotes reporting that Jason LaBarbera will get the start tonight and Ilya Bryzgalov will get the start tomorrow night in Dallas
- The Blackhawks lead the NHL in attendance filling the stands to 106.2% of capacity.
- The Coyotes website is reporting that the reason Joel Perrault was called up was because Robert Lang is nursing an injury. If Lang can’t play, Perrault will be inserted into the lineup.

Officials:

Referees Brad Meier (34), Francois St. Laurent (38)
Linesmen Mike Cvik (88), Andy McElman (90)

Injuries:

Coyotes: Kurt Sauer, Scottie Upshall (possibly out for the season with an ACL tear)
Blackhawks: Adam Burish (IR)