Phoenix Coyotes vs. Anaheim Ducks

December 5, 2010 – Puck drops at 6:00 PM Arizona Time
Jobing.com Arena – Glendale, AZ
TV: Fox Sports Arizona(HD) – Radio: KFNN AM 1510

Last five games:
Coyotes: 2 – 2 – 1
Ducks: 3 – 2 – 0

Last ten games:
Coyotes: 7 – 2 – 1
Ducks: 3 – 5 – 2

Record when scoring the first goal:

Coyotes: 9 – 1 – 3
Ducks: 10 – 2 – 1

Immediately after the Coyotes game with the Panthers, the team flew to Anaheim to play the Ducks later this afternoon. Even though this is the the third matchup between the two teams this season, with the Coyotes losing both games, there’s only one main story line to pay attention to:

The Coyotes inability to stop the scoring line up Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan.

In two games with the Coyotes Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan have the following point tallies:

Corey Perry 2 goals and 3 assists
Ryan Getzlaf 6 assists
Bobby Ryan 3 goals and 3 assists

17 points. 17 points between the three players in two games.

The Key to the Ducks success this season is to negate their porous defense by scoring as many points as possible. So far this plan has worked to perfection. This line must be stopped if the Coyotes want to have the best chance of winning tonight.

Things to watch for

Shane Doan – As we have said before Doan has been working pretty hard as of late not only getting back into game shape after his injury but he has also been working on different aspects of his game. What they are, you’ll have to keep an eye out for. Secondly, Doan had a collision with the Florida Panthers Bill Thomas and appeared to injure his leg. Even though he played at full speed in the third, it’s something to keep an eye on.

Joffrey Lupul – He is eligible to play tonight after being out of the lineup since December 8th 2009 with a blood infection.

How will the Coyotes handle the big line of Perry/Getslaf/Ryan – Who is going to draw the assignment of covering this line and how will they fare against them?

Keys to the Game

Take advantage of mismatches – This is one thing that the Coyotes could not figure out against the Panthers last night and something they need to do tonight against a Ducks defense that has not played consistent hockey

Shut down the Ducks big line – This is the most important item the Coyotes must attend to.

Discipline – If there’s been one characteristics of the Coyotes last three losses it’s the lack of discipline. This is a key component that drives the engine that is ‘Coyotes Hockey’.

Game Notes

- The Anaheim Ducks are reporting that Joffrey Lupul has been cleared by the team’s medical staff and is eligible to play tonight.

- To make room for Joffrey Lupul, the Ducks have assigned Dan Sexton to Syracuse.

- Lee Stempniak is 1 game away from his 400th career NHL game

- Keith Yandle is 2 points away from his 100th career NHL point

- All Phoenix Coyotes games in the Month of December will be televised. Every game in December with the exception of the December 31st game at the Blues (which will be on Versus) will be on Fox Sports Arizona in HD.

- Paul Bissonnette (aka BizNasty) still leads all Phoenix Coyotes players in 2011 All-Star fan balloting (Updated November 30th)

Officials
Referees: Dennis LaRue (14), Dean Morton (36)
Linesmen: Vaughan Rody (73), Brian Mach (78)

Injuries

Ducks: Joffrey Lupul (Blood infection – Day to Day), Teemu Selanne (Groin – Day to Day), Aaron Voros (Flu – Day to Day)
Coyotes: No injuries.