Coyotes at Jets
THE STORY: The Phoenix Coyotes will travel into their past Thursday night as they visit Winnipeg for what should be a highly-charged game against the Jets. It's the first visit to Manitoba by the Coyotes since they were the original Jets franchise, bolting for the desert 15 years ago. It was believed that the Coyotes would return to Winnipeg this season following another year of eight-figure losses in Glendale, but the NHL offered to keep the team afloat for one more season. The Atlanta Thrashers weren't as fortunate, relocating to Winnipeg in the offseason and setting up one of the most anticipated games of the year. Phoenix comes in with an impressive 7-3-1 road record buoyed by a 34-1 win in Chicago on Tuesday. The Jets dropped the first of a five-game homestand that same night, falling 6-4 to the Ottawa Senators. The new Winnipeg franchise hasn't beaten Phoenix since November 2003.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS-Ariz. (Phoenix), TSN-Jets (Winnipeg).
ABOUT THE COYOTES (13-7-3): Radim Vrbata is building his case for inclusion in the All-Star Game. The winger has 11 goals in his last 14 games and 21 points overall to share the team lead. Ray Whitney also has 21 points, six of those coming in the last five games. The 39-year old has 349 career goals, 99 on the power play. Forward Kyle Turris, who recently signed after a holdout, may play his first game Thursday. Goalie Mike Smith is 10-2-1 in his last 13 decisions.
ABOUT THE JETS (9-11-4): Evander Kane is starting to emerge as a genuine go-to offensive player. The power forward has seven goals in his last seven games and leads the team with 12 goals and 18 points. The Jets will have to get better defensively if they are to make a run for the playoffs. Winnipeg was second to last in goals-against through Tuesday’s games at 3.29. The Jets are 1-for-12 on the power play the last four games after going 6-for-15 in a three-game span.
OVERTIME:
1. Shane Doan is the only player left on the Coyotes who played for the organization when it was in Winnipeg.
2. Four of Winnipeg’s top eight defensemen to start the season are out due to injury.
3. Phoenix, one of the least penalized teams in the league, has killed 36 of 38 penalties the last 15 games.