If the playoffs started today, the Coyotes would be going home. They are ranked 10th in the conference, and at one point this season, they led the division.
After some games they should have won, and going 4-5-1 in their last ten, the decisive win against Los Angeles was more important than ever. Tonight if they are able to earn two points, they will be able to gain ground on the Chicago Blackhawks, the next team above them in the standings.
Last night, Chicago lost their tilt against the San Jose Sharks. The injury to Jonathan Toews might make the sledding rough for the Blackhawks, but if they can hover around .500, they might be able to keep their spot.
That means, the Coyotes must kick it up a gear to start climbing over teams, and with a victory over St. Louis, they can force a three-way tie for the eighth spot in the conference.
How difficult will it be? St. Louis have won four in a row, gone 6-3-1 in their last 10, and have a 10-5-3 home ice advantage. So, will the Coyotes be able to stop yet another win streak, on the road no less?
That depends solely on the Coyotes who, save for the other night against the Kings, have been mired in a terrible scoring drought where the other members of the committee haven’t stepped up. General Manager Don Maloney has now commented on the situation and I completely agree with him. The time is now.
On a Rampage
The line that featured Mikkel Boedker, Kyle Turris, and Brett Maclean rolled and forced the competition within the team for ice time. If they play again, and they should, then when Taylor Pyatt, Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal come back, who should sit?
Paul Bissonnette should not.
The stats are pretty clear, despite the huge game that Scottie Upshall had the other night, there are four players or so not moving enough and that includes him (he has three points in his last 11 games). He needs to perform that way each and every night. Instead of talking about what the other guys are doing, he should talk about what he plans to do.
As for the others? Instead of writing about them, I’ll just let their stats do the talking for them:
Vrbata: One goal in his last 14 games.
Wolski: Two goals in his last 12 games.
Belanger: Three assists in his last 15 games.
The performance of the team against the Kings Wednesday night needs to be a regular occurrence and the supporting cast needs to step up and play better. Otherwise, kids like Turris, Maclean, and Boedker will take their spots.
Because it looks like they are ready.
Original Story:
http://onefansperspective.com/2010/12...
