Coyotes at Canucks
THE STORY: The Phoenix Coyotes are riding high with a season-best
five-game winning streak. Coach Dave Tippett's club isn't beating
patsies, either, as the Central Division-leading Detroit Red Wings and
Pacific Division-leading San Jose Sharks are included in the team's list
of recent victims. On Monday, the eighth-place Coyotes will look to
make it a clean sweep of the Western Conference elite when they travel
to British Columbia to face the Northwest Division-leading Vancouver
Canucks.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona Plus (Coyotes), RS Pacific (Canucks)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (27-21-8):
Goaltender Mike Smith recorded more wins (four) than goals allowed
(three) last week. After yielding only one tally in his previous three
games, the netminder got even stingier on Saturday by stopping all 38
shots he faced in a 3-0 triumph over the reeling Chicago Blackhawks.
Smith stumbled the last time he faced the Canucks, permitting five goals
in a lopsided loss on Nov. 25. Right wing Radim Vrbata netted his
team-leading 26th goal of the season to extend his point streak to seven
games (four tallies and five assists). Vrbata is one goal shy of his
career mark, set in 2007-08.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (34-15-6):
The Rogers Arena has traditionally been a safe haven for Vancouver,
which opens a three-game homestand Monday. The Canucks collected points
for the ninth straight contest (6-0-3) with Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss
to the division rival Calgary Flames. Vancouver hasn't tasted defeat
after 60 minutes since a home loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 15. Left
wing David Booth is finding his stride with points in eight of his last
nine contests. Booth scored against the Coyotes in the teams' last
meeting in November.
OVERTIME:
1. Coyotes veteran
left wing Ray Whitney is riding an eight-game point streak, collecting
two goals and eight assists in that span. The 39-year-old has 38 points
in 45 career games versus the Canucks.
2. Canucks center Ryan
Kesler saw his career-best five-game goal-scoring streak come to an end
Saturday, but he did find the net in the last meeting with the Coyotes.