Blue Jackets at Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes make another attempt for their first win of the season when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. The reigning Pacific Division champion, Phoenix dropped a 4-3 decision at Dallas in its season opener on Saturday, then suffered a 6-4 loss to Chicago the following night in its first home game. The Coyotes have not lost the first three games of a campaign since 1985-86, when the franchise was known as the Winnipeg Jets.
Columbus has been highly competitive thus far this season despite no longer having perennial 30-goal scorer Rick Nash on the roster. After posting a 3-2 shootout victory at Nashville in Sunday's season opener, the Blue Jackets went to the bonus format again at home against Detroit on Monday but lost a 4-3 decision. Acquired from Philadelphia in the offseason, Sergei Bobrovsky played well in his first two starts with Columbus, stopping 71 of the 76 shots he faced.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Columbus), FSN Arizona Plus (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (1-0-1): Columbus has earned three points in two games after needing nine contests to reach that mark last season. Forward R.J. Umberger believes the team's early success is a result of its work ethic. "The big thing is the fight of our team," he said. "We kept coming. We're built to outwork teams, wear teams down. It's no surprise that the first two games of the year have been a fight to the end." The Blue Jackets have not recorded a point in each of their first three games since the 2006-07 season.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (0-2-0): Captain Shane Doan played in his 1,200th career game Sunday, becoming the eight active player to reach the plateau. Dave Tippett ranks second in coaching victories since the beginning of the 2002-03 season. Tippett has recorded 406 wins with Dallas and Phoenix, putting him 13 behind Mike Babcock (Anaheim and Detroit). Phoenix lost its first three meetings with Columbus last season before posting a 2-0 victory in the season-series finale. Mike Smith was brilliant in the triumph, setting an NHL record for saves in a regular-season shutout with 54.
OVERTIME
1. The Blue Jackets' power play was non-existent against the Coyotes last season, going 0-for-15 in the four-game series.
2. Phoenix has scored seven goals but is winless, while Columbus has tallied only five times while earning three of a possible four points.
3. Coyotes LW Raffi Torres has six games remaining on his suspension for an illegal hit on Chicago's Marian Hossa in last year's playoffs.
PREDICTION: Coyotes 4, Blue Jackets 1.