Phoenix Coyotes Hockey on AZ Vibe

Phoenix Coyotes vs Nashville Predators Jobing.com Arena – Glendale, AZ Puck Drops at 7:00 PM AZ Time TV: NHL Network(US)Radio:550 KFYI

Yeah, this is and will be a commonly used line for the last few games of the regular season. It’s kind of nice to retire this for a while. However, this meeting for the final time is against a Predators team that has been a mirror image of the Coyotes and they way they play their game.

Coyotes fans may remember a defensive gem on February 2nd that was one of the Coyotes most all around perfect games this season. Both teams went scoreless into the 10th round of the shootout until Adrian ‘The Closer’ Aucoin won it for the Coyotes. Even the next time the two teams met on March 25th, both teams had to go to the shootout where the Predators David Legwand won the game.

Did you also know that in the three games these two teams have played each other this season there has been only seven minor penalties? That’s how close this series has been.

So what can Phoenix Coyotes fans expect from this game?

Another playoff type-atmosphere performance from both teams.

The Coyotes and the Predators have already secured their trip to the post season. However, both teams are jockeying for playoff seeds and both really need a win tonight. The Coyotes need to secure their #4 seed and home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs. The Predators are nipping at the Coyotes #4 seed and would love to overtake them in the playoff race.

The Coyotes have to have a repeat of their February 2nd classic to be able to have the best chance of winning tonight. Anything short of this kind of effort will give the Predators a chance to take control of the game. In three games this season between the two teams the Predators have proven that they can and will jump on every open opportunity or weakness in the Coyotes game.

The official start of the playoffs for the NHL may be next week. However, the playoffs start tonight for the Coyotes.

Cheat Sheet:

- Tonight marks Linesman Lyle Seitz’s last game as an NHL linesman. He is one of four NHL officials that will be retiring at the end of this season (the other three officials retiring are Mark Pare, Dan Marouelli, and Kerry Fraiser. Seitz has worked 735 games since his first game on October 7, 1992

- Jeremy Rutherford, beat writer for the St. Louis Blues reported this afternoon that former Jet/Coyote Keith Tkachuk will not be in the lineup tonight and he is expected to announce his retirement this evening.

- Martin Hanzal is one point away from 100 career points in his NHL career.

- The Coyotes are 11-3-1 in their last 15 games

Pre-game comments from Petr Prucha:

http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/podcastplayer.htm?pid=335&iid=21838

Comments yesterday from head coach Dave Tippett:

Things to watch for:

Coyotes Power Play – The Coyotes anemic power play unit needs a shot in the arm or something as they have not been able to convert on numerous chances. This may not come into play tonight as both teams have only had 7 minor penalties between them. However, if the Coyotes go on the power play, they need to convert as they may not get another chance tonight.

Keys to the game:

Faceoffs – Even though this is a repeat again it applies… The Coyotes have been proficient in faceoffs as of late. It’s just that their opponents have been better. Unacceptable.

Go to the net – The majority of the goals in the NHL are not scored on primary shots on goal. They are scored on rebounds and second chances. The Coyotes have to go to the net more often and get in the crease of the opposing goalies.

Tough D – Now is the time to bring their playoff caliber defense to the table. They have been practicing this all year long. It’s time to play for keeps.

Officials:

Referees: #23 Brad Watson, #32 Tom Kowal
Linesmen: #56 Mark Wheeler, #61 Lyle Seitz

Injuries/Scratches:

Coyotes: Kurt Sauer(IR), Scottie Upshall(IR), Robert Lang(Day to Day), Viktor Tikhonov (Scratch), Paul Bissonnette (Scratch)
Predators: Denis Grebishkov(IR), Jason Arnott (Probable)