Lightning at Coyotes
THE STORY: One can look at the Phoenix Coyotes’ recent results in different ways. They have lost five of their last six games, but have points in six of eight. The Coyotes hope to define themselves a bit clearer on a six-game homestand that started with a shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Phoenix, which is two points out of eighth place in the Western Conference, hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Coyotes’ goalie Mike Smith hopes to face the Lightning, with whom he spent the last three and half seasons. Smith has already topped his career high with 17 victories. Tampa Bay has won two straight, including a 2-1 victory at the Dallas Stars on Friday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET; SunSports (Tampa), FS-ARZ (Phoenix).
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (19-23-4): After going without a point in the first four games of January, Teddy Purcell has picked it up with four goals and an assist in the last five contests. That gives Purcell 11 goals, third on the team behind NHL-leading Steven Stamkos (31) and captain Vincent Lecavalier (18). Lecavalier has five goals and seven assists in nine January games. After Mathieu Garon played in goal Friday, Dwayne Roloson is expected to start against the Coyotes. Roloson, who is 14-9-2 against Phoenix lifetime, has not won since Nov. 17.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (21-19-8): The Coyotes have been getting offense from unlikely sources of late. Boyd Gordon had two goals against Colorado and rookie defenseman Chris Summers recorded his first three career points in the last three games. In addition, Gilbert Brule has two goals and an assist in five games since being picked up on re-entry waivers and plugger Kyle Chipchura has five points in as many games. Leading scorer Ray Whitney (39 points) has gone nine games without a goal. Improving the power play, which is 3-for-34 over 14 games, will be essential.
OVERTIME
1. The Lightning have won nine of the last 11 meetings, including an 8-3 triumph last season in Tampa.
2. Phoenix has lost five straight in extra time. The Coyotes are 1-3 in overtime and 2-5 in shootouts overall this season.
3. Tampa Bay is 11-1 with a lead going into the third period.