Phoenix Coyotes at Columbus Blue Jackets
This is a huge game for both teams as the Coyotes are trying to keep pace with Dallas for the final playoff spot in the West while Columbus, with a win tonight, could very well be a mathematical lock for the playoffs by night’s end. This should be a fun game to watch.
Phoenix has been bumbling and stumbling of late, losing six of their last eight games though thanks to loser points, they have nearly half the available points in those games. Goal scoring has been a big problem for this team as they have just four goals in their last four games (all losses) and they haven’t scored more than three in nine straight. This isn’t a shooting percentage problem either, it’s a getting shots problem; the Coyotes have 30 or more shots on goal in just one of those last nine games. They’ll need to do better against Sergei Bobrovksy.
Columbus has scored five power play goals in their last three games, but a couple of notes about that: First, the team is down to two power play units (for the most part). They’ll still throw one line out with about 20 seconds left, but that’s more for setting up the next shift. Secondly, the Coyotes have only averaged two power plays against over their last seven games (but three goals). If the Phoenix stays out of the box, Columbus will have to find other ways to score.
I think this is a low-scoring game tonight. This is as close to a playoff game as it gets for both teams before the playoffs actually get here, so I expect some tight-checking hockey. I don’t mind Bobrovsky in net for 50/50s, but I will avoid most other skaters.
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Top RW Value |
Top LW Value |
Top C Value |
Top D Value |
Bargain Bin |
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(CBJ) $8159 |
(PHX) $4730 |
(CBJ) $10,609 |
(CBJ) $6893 |
(PHX) $7108 |
