Avalanche at Coyotes
THE STORY: It has been quite a struggle for the Phoenix Coyotes lately. They’ve managed just two victories in 11 games since Dec. 23, dropping out of playoff position in the Western Conference. On the bright side, the Coyotes have a chance to turn things around with nine of the next 11 games at home starting with a matinee against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday. The Coyotes failed on all five power-play opportunities at Colorado in a 3-2 loss Dec. 29. The Coyotes won the first meeting 4-1 at home Nov. 2 as Mike Smith made 39 saves. Colorado, who snapped a three-game losing streak at Dallas Saturday, is 5-1-1 in its last seven on the road.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, NHL Network, ALT (Colorado).
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (24-20-2): Forward Peter Mueller has recorded seven shots in two games since his return from concussion symptoms, which forced him to miss 41 games. Mueller scored 35 goals his first two seasons with Phoenix, then was traded to Colorado after netting four in his third. He has played just 20 games during the last season and a half. Perhaps Mueller can help an ailing Avalanche power play, which is just 4-for-40 the last 14 games. Ryan O’Reilly leads Colorado with 33 points. Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 16-8-6 with a tie against Phoenix.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (20-18-7): Phoenix has lost three straight games -- two in shootouts. The Coyotes have not been good after regulation, dropping seven of 10 including the last four. Radim Vrbata, snubbed from all-star game selection despite being among the league’s top 10 goal scorers (22), leads the Coyotes with 37 points and a plus-11. Ray Whitney is next with 36 and a plus-10. But neither has been able to add juice to a powerless power play -- 2-for-25 over the last 11 games. Goalie Mike Smith has allowed five goals in four games, but has just one win.
OVERTIME:
1. Colorado center Matt Duchene is out with a knee injury sustained against Phoenix Dec. 29.
2. Phoenix has won six of the last eight meetings with the Avalanche.
3. Colorado has the most one-goal victories in the league (16).