Phoenix Coyotes vs Detroit Red Wings Game 4 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Western Conference Quarter Finals Coyotes lead the series 2 – 1 Joe Lewis Arena – Detroit, Michigan Puck Drops at 3:30 PM AZ Time TV: FSNAZ/FSNAZ + (see below for TV Details) – TSN (Canada)Radio:XTRA 910

Here we are at game 4 in the best of seven series with a new challenge and opportunity for the Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes have the opportunity to take two games on Detroit’s home ice this afternoon and if they play their game, the chances are pretty good that the Coyotes can do just that….take two games at the Joe Lewis Arena.

The Coyotes will be without the services of Coyotes Captain Shane Doan who suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 3. As with other challenges this season, the Phoenix Coyotes have met and overcome all manners of challenges with flying colors. I expect no different for game 4. Players must step up into new roles, and in some cases, lines for the game.

I’m expecting another tough battle between both teams and for the Coyotes to continue to play ‘their’ game and dictate play in all three zones on the ice. Hard hitting on Red Wings players, disciplined play in their defensive zone, peppering Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard with shots on goal are just some of the things the Coyotes will need to do to come out with a victory before coming back home for game 5.

This will be a key game for the Coyotes in this series. They have to play ‘their’ game to have the best chance of winning.

Cheat Sheet:

- According to Head Coach Mike Babcock, there will be no changes to the Red Wings lineup for game 4

- Brian Rafalski will be in the lineup for game 4. Rafalski left game 3 with an undisclosed injury after getting repeatedly hit by Shane Doan.

- Wojtek Wolski is on a three game goal streak – Matthew Lombardi has scored five points in three playoff games

- Ilya Bryzgalov expected to start for the Coyotes in Game 4

- Coyotes Captain Shane Doan will not be in the lineup for game 4. It is not known at press time who will take Doan’s place in the lineup.

- Coyotes forward Vernon Fiddler will be back in the Coyotes lineup for game 4

- Coyotes head Coach Dave Tippett’s Game Day Press Conference (from FSNAZ’s Todd Walsh)

http://filesocial.com/1sxyrl3

- Todd Walsh and Dave Strader chat about Game 4 – (from FSNAZ’s Todd Walsh)

http://filesocial.com/1t8ba1f

- Mike Babcock game day press conference (from FSNAZ’s Todd Walsh)

http://filesocial.com/1slygbb

- Map to the Coyotes Game 4 Viewing Party at Zipps Arcadia:

Things to watch for:

Brian Rafalski – According to the Todd Walsh/Dave Strader Podcast Rafalski has been the target of the Coyotes and has taken a TON of punishment. Rafalski left game 3 with an undisclosed injury and will play this afternoon. Watch and see if he still the target of Coyotes players.

Red Wings Defense – In Game 3 the Red Wings switched their defensive package to ‘crashing the crease’ around Howard picking up any loose rebounds and preventing Coyotes players from gaining possession of the puck. Keep an eye out to see if they do this again.

Coyotes Defense –

Keys to the game (some of these are the same as game 3 as they still apply for game 4):

Faceoffs – When you have a player like Pavel Datsyuk (winning 14 of 20 Faceoffs in game 3), Henrik Zetterberg, and Darren Helm winning the majority (Wings won 35 of 65 faceoffs) of the Red Wings faceoffs, there’s a problem.

Discipline – The Coyotes need to bring the hurt and ‘their’ game for 60 minutes. Blocking shots, not allowing secondary scoring chances, not allowing the Holmstrom/Bertuzzi/etc like players a spot in front of the net, and not allowing their big guns any room to move on the ice.

Shut down the Wings in Transition – The Wings have to be kept from getting comfortable in their offensive zone and that starts with the entry into their offensive zone. They are best kept from winning by not allowing them to get shots off or by establishing the offensive zone.

Bryz has to be the best player on the ice – In this series Bryz has been one of the best players on the ice. However, he’s let in some uncharacteristically soft goals. The Coyotes feed off of his confidence and his dominance for success. He has to be a rock in net tonight while the Coyotes go to work on Jimmy Howard.

Shoot. The. Puck. – The Way to beat Jimmy Howard is not only to get perimeter shots on the Red Wings goaltender but to also pepper him with shots on secondary scoring chances. The Red Wings dominated the previous games in the shot department. It’s the Coyotes turn for shot dominance. Howard is weakest when he commits to shots and the Coyotes HAVE to take advantage of that.

Hit me with your best shot – Keep up the hit parade on Red Wings players. It’s working. Just keep it going!

Officials:

Referees: Eric Furlatt-27 & Mike Leggo-3
Linesmen: Jonny Murray-95 & Mike Cvik-88

Supervisor: Rob Shick

Injuries/Scratches (will be updated as information is made known):

Coyotes: Kurt Sauer(IR), Scottie Upshall(IR), Jim Vandermeer (Scratch), Mathieu Schneider(scratch), Shane Doan(Day to Day), Viktor Tikhonov (Scratch), Paul Bissonnette (Scratch), The San Antonio 8 (Scratch),
Red Wings: Kurt Maltby, Jason Williams, Daniel Larsson, Doug Janik, Brad May, Mattias Ritola, Jakub Kindl, Derek Meetch, Brett Lebda