Clash of the Titans: Vancouver Canucks take on Phoenix Coyotes - NHL Preview
Phoenix Coyotes are streaking hot this month and will be confident ahead of their home game against Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 at the Jobing.com Arena in Phoenix.
The Coyotes have been the most in form team this month notching up victory after victory and their brilliant form has seen them climb up the Western Conference into third spot with 73 points.
It is a huge rise for a Phoenix team that struggled in the early part of the season but just like last year the Coyotes find themselves surging at just the right time.
The Coyotes are on a five game winning run while this month they have won all but one of their 11 games they played in February.
Their only defeat was against Vancouver on the road and Phoenix will be up for vengeance on Tuesday.
The Canucks though are not an easy team to beat on the road. Vancouver’s away form is their biggest strength and the Coyotes will have their work cut out against the league’s best team.
Vancouver is top of the Western Conference with 87 points and their 22-10-3 road record is not to be taken lightly.
Coyotes (32-21-9, 73pts)
Confidence in Phoenix could not be greater than at this time. The Coyotes are playing brilliantly and more importantly winning games.
Moving up from the bottom of the Western Conference, Phoenix has emerged as a serious contender and will provide big trouble to the visiting Canucks.
The Coyotes destroyed a recently tough Edmonton Oilers side on the road on Saturday with a 3-1 victory and will be looking to give a similar performance against Vancouver.
Left winger Ray Whitney is in the form of his life this month and his wonderful performances have provided just the spark Phoenix needed.
However, the forward warned teammates from getting too complacent.
"We're happy with what we have done. We've played well at times and competed hard most of the time. But we have to be careful not to get too excited or overconfident because of how things have gone. We have to keep our feet grounded."
Canucks (40-16-7, 87pts)
Vancouver, meanwhile, has been in brilliant form as well, maintaining their pole position at the top of the league as well as Western Conference standings.
The Canucks are the best team in the National Hockey League (NHL) this year and with a powerful offence combining well the Coyotes will do well to be wary of the threat.
Even though Vancouver lost its last game on the road, a 3-2 overtime loss to Dallas, the Canucks will still be the favourites.
Over the last two encounters between these two teams, Vancouver has come out on top on both occasions and will be looking to add a third straight.
Predictions
This is one tough game to pick a winner but Vancouver will just about edge out the Coyotes.
Both teams are in exceptional form and will likely cancel each other out in a low scoring game.
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