Avalanche at Coyotes
THE STORY: The Phoenix Coyotes will be without their captain when they host the Pacific Division-rival Colorado Avalanche on Thursday in a crucial Western Conference battle. Shane Doan received a three-game suspension Wednesday after elbowing Dallas' Jamie Benn in the head a day earlier. Despite trailing the division-leading Stars by only one point, Phoenix sits just out of the playoff picture in ninth place. Colorado is even in points with Dallas atop the Pacific but is seventh in the conference.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Altitude (Colorado), FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (40-30-5): Semyon Varlamov and the team's defense have come up big lately. Varlamov is riding a career-best five-game winning streak and has captured 10 of his last 12 starts, allowing more than two goals only twice during that span. Colorado has played tight defensively of late, surrendering a total of two tallies over its last three contests (2-0-1). The Avalanche have earned at least one point in each of their last six games (5-0-1) and are 7-1-1 over their last nine. They've also played well on the road, losing in regulation just once in seven contests (5-1-1).
ABOUT THE COYOTES (36-26-12): Doan will not return to the lineup until next Thursday against San Jose. In addition to the matchup with Colorado, he will miss Saturday's road game vs. the Sharks as well as Sunday's home meeting with St. Louis. The captain issued a statement following the league's decision, expressing remorse. "I am thankful that Jamie Benn was not hurt on the play. I recognize how bad it looked, but there was no intent to injure him," Doan said. "I apologize to the NHL, my teammates and our fans for missing the next three games as we continue to fight for a playoff spot."
OVERTIME:
1. Colorado has won eight of its last 10 divisional games.
2. The Coyotes are 7-1-1 in their last nine overall meetings with the Avalanche and 6-0-1 in seven at home.