Coyotes at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: After flying through February with an impressive 11-0-1 record, the Phoenix Coyotes have dropped all three contests in March. Coach Dave Tippett's troops will look to rebound Tuesday when they travel to the Buckeye State to face the NHL-worst Columbus Blue Jackets. A winner of two in a row, Columbus scored three times in the third period to post a 5-2 road victory over Phoenix on Saturday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Blue Jackets)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (33-24-9): Ray Whitney scored his fifth goal in six games, but Phoenix was unable to muster anything more against Marc-Andre Fleury and dropped a 2-1 decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. The 39-year-old Whitney is showing no signs of slowing down. Whitney also scored against Columbus on Saturday and has collected 21 points in his last 18 games. Goaltender Mike Smith, who stopped 26 shots Monday, has lost four of six career matches versus Columbus (2-3-1).
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (20-38-7): Although he didn't get shipped at the NHL trade deadline, Rick Nash hasn't let up in his quest to prove himself to the league. The captain tallied twice and added a brilliant assist Saturday as Columbus won two in a row on the road for the first time this season. Nash, who has six goals in his last seven games, has recorded 33 points in 32 career games versus Phoenix.
OVERTIME:
1. The first period has been a sore spot for the Coyotes, who have been outscored by a 12-2 margin in the opening stanza of the last seven games. During the three-game losing skid, Phoenix has been outscored 6-0.
2. Columbus goaltender Steve Mason turned aside 30 shots Saturday to post only his second win in six career matches versus Phoenix.