Coyotes at Blackhawks
THE
STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks suffered a pair of lopsided losses in
Western Canada but rounded into form in time to earn a .500 record on
their six-game road trip and maintain their standing as one of the elite
teams in the Western Conference. With three of the next four at home,
maybe the Blackhawks can finally get a little breathing room. Chicago
will have played 10 of its 14 November games on the road but now get to
look forward to a stretch that will not include back-to-back road games
until a nine-game trip begins Jan. 31. Visiting the United Center on
Tuesday will be the Phoenix Coyotes, who have alternated wins and losses
over the last seven games but are coming off a strong performance in a
victory over the Dallas Stars. The Coyotes have allowed two power-play
goals this month and have the defense to give the Blackhawks trouble.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, CS Chicago
ABOUT THE COYOTES (12-7-3):
Phoenix has been inconsistent everywhere except on the penalty kill,
where it has gone 35 for 37 over the last 14 games. Of course on the
other side, the Coyotes have managed to convert only 3 of 39 chances
with the man advantage over that same span. Mike Smith posted his second
shutout of the season against Dallas on Saturday in a 3-0 victory.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (14-7-3):
To say Chicago had some issues defensively on its trip would be an
understatement. The Blackhawks dropped a 9-2 decision at Edmonton and a
5-2 verdict at Calgary. But after scoring four third-period goals in a
6-5 victory at Anaheim on Friday, the Chicago locked down on the blue
line in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Los Angeles. The Blackhawks were stronger
in the neutral zone and did not give up lazy turnovers.
OVERTIME:
1. Smith has made only two appearances - one start -
against Chicago in his career, going 1-1-0 with a 1.35 goals against
average.
2. Coyotes center Daymond Langkow returned to the lineup Saturday after missing eight games and recorded a pair of assists.
3. Chicago center Jonathan Toews had 10 points during the six-game trip.