Dallas Stars host Phoenix Coyotes for their fourth clash in the season
One of the important games of Wednesday will be hosted by the Dallas Stars as they face the Phoenix Coyotes. This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides out of the six meetings due to take place during the course of the season.
Dallas Stars won the first game between the two sides 6-3 comfortable but Coyotes bounced back to win the last two matches 5-2 and 1-0 respectively outscoring Dallas Stars 6-2.
Phoenix Coyotes have found winning ways after a disappointment slump in the season where they allowed more than 3 goals in each of their losses. Their goal keeper, Ilya Bryzgalov has started to come up with decent performance making saves every now and them
and restricting the opposition to almost nothing during the course of the game. This all is due to the defence also getting better game after game.
Phoenix Coyotes have the stage set for a three consecutive shutouts after Brian Boucher made the record for the most with six during the 2003-04 season. The goal keeper of the Coyotes has previously achieved the feat with the Anaheim Ducks during the time
when they won the Stanley Cup during the play-offs of the 2006.
"Right now, the way we are playing, a team has to earn it, make plays to score a goal, not give them a goal," said Bryzgalov, two shutouts shy of matching Nikolai Khabibulin's franchise record of 21. "When you take care of your net like we took care of ours
the last two games, you increase your chances to win games."
Bryzgalov has been in great form recently from which the Coyotes have benefited a lot. The Coyotes are within two points of the Dallas Stars who are leading the Pacific Division. His most recent heroics include a shutout against the Minnesota Wild and then
against the Colorado Avalanche which was won 3-0 comfortably by the Coyotes in the end.
"Bryz has been solid and when he's had to make big saves, he has, but we've been more committed in front of him, playing stronger defense," Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said.
Phoenix Coyotes have played 55 games in the season out of which they have won 27 games in regulation time, 9 games in overtime scoring 63 points. Dallas Stars who lead the Pacific Division have played 53 games out which they have won 30 games in regulation
time, 5 games in overtime and have scored 65 points so far.
Dallas Stars have lost the last two consecutive games in the season with the most recent coming against the Philadelphia Flyers who won comfortably 3-1 this Monday. Though you might say that they are in a good position in the league being in the third position
in the Western Conference but the interesting thing is that they are just five points ahead of the ninth spot in the Conference which is the last play-off position.
"You're in trouble if you start getting satisfied with losses," Coach Marc Crawford said. "Your job is to try and find a way."
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