Blue Jackets at Coyotes
THE STORY: After collecting nearly every point they could in February, the Phoenix Coyotes came away empty in their first game of March. They attempt to bounce back Saturday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Jobing.com Arena. Phoenix went 11-0-1 last month en route to first place in the Pacific Division. Despite beginning March with a home loss to Calgary, the Coyotes enter their contest with the Blue Jackets two points ahead of San Jose and Dallas. Columbus has lost five of seven but is 3-1-1 in its last five road games.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Columbus), FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (19-38-7): Steve Mason recorded his first shutout of the season Thursday at Colorado. The 23-year-old has posted just nine blankings over the past three campaigns after notching 10 during his Calder Trophy-winning season of 2008-09. “He looked good,” interim coach Todd Richards said. “His depth in the net was very good and he looked very confident. I think he was a little shaky at first, but once he settled down and got some confidence, he looked really solid in the net.” Captain Rick Nash has recorded a goal in four of his last six games and at least one point in nine of 13 contests.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (33-22-9): Mike Smith saw his personal 11-game winning streak come to an end Thursday against Calgary as he allowed three goals in the first period. Of the 19 tallies he's surrendered over the last 12 contests, a dozen have been scored in the opening session. Ray Whitney had his six-game points streak halted by the Flames. It was just the second time in 16 contests the veteran was kept off the scoresheet. The Coyotes signed 21-year-old center Brendan Shinnimin to a three-year contract Friday. The undrafted Shinnimin has registered 52 goals and 117 points in 60 games with Tri-City of the WHL this season.
OVERTIME:
1. The Coyotes have won seven of eight at home and six of seven overall.
2. Columbus has lost five of its last six visits to Phoenix.
3. The teams face off again Tuesday at Nationwide Arena.