Desert Dogs-a-Howlin - April

This updated covers the Coyotes regular season games in April, the next update will have their round one series against the Chicago Blackhawks.

v ColumbusApril sees the end of the regular season and with 3 games left nothing was sorted in the Pacific division. The matchup against the Blue Jackets would see Mike Smith set a record and secure a shutout. With the team in front misfiring a little Smitty turned aside all 54 saves for his shutout. Boyd Gordona and Gilbert Brule scored for Phoenix to secure the win and keep the Coyotes in seventh place and within the post season places.

@ St Louis The Coyotes would finish their regular season on the road, starting with a tough game away to the St Louis Blues. With their playoff berth secured the matter for the Coyotes now is, where would they finish and who would they face in the first round of the playoffs. Vrbata and Doan scored just 2 minutes apart to break a tied game and a further market from Boedker ensure the Coyotes left the Scottrade Centre with a great 4-1 victory over the Blues. The win also went a long way in securing the Coyotes first ever division title!

@ Minnesota
Win the size of the prize the Coyotes went all out to get in, and they did in some style! The Coyotes made the best start with goals from Boedker and Pyatt giving them the lead. Dany Heatley pulled one back but another one from Pyatt and Vrbata's 35th of the season ensured the Coyotes win, by a score of 4-1. A great win to secure the Pacific Division title and a deserved win for Phoenix too dominating the game from start to end. With the win the Coyotes not only take the title but also home advantage in the first round of the playoff's.

Desert Dogs-a-Howlin - March

 The penultimate month of the season saw the Coyotes fighting for a playoff spot in the Pacific Divison, the division title was also within reach.

v Flames (L)
The mantra of the Coyotes this season has been 'Hockey the Hard Way' throught the previous games the Coyotes have playedit dangerously at times and the run had to come to an end at some point! Along the way the Coyotes have been able to haul themselves out of some tough spots, their first period form has been poor. Against the Flames this ability came to an end, 3-0 down after the first period the Coyotes rallied in the second through Torres and Rozisval but an Iginla empty nett goal in the last minute condemned the Yotes to their first regulation loss in 12 games.
v Blue Jackets (L)
After the disappointing loss to Calgary the Coyotes had a chance for redemption against the lowly Blue Jackets. Coming into the game the Blue Jackets were buoyed by the news that star player Rick Nash would not be leaving, it would be Nash who would haunt the Yotes this game. Continuing the theme of their poor starts, the Coyotes found themselves 2-0 down early in the second before Whitney and Korpikoski goals hauled them level. The Coyotes poor third period would see them concede 3 goals and the game, condemning them to a loss and an 0 and 2 record against the Blue Jackets.

@ Penguins (L)
The Coyotes March madness continued against the high flying Pens. Again, another poor first period saw the Coyotes 2-0 down heading into the second period. The Coyotes huffed and puffed but found Marc-Andre Fleury in scintillating form. Zybnek Michalek and Chris Kunitz put the pens ahead before Ray Whitney got his 21st goal of the season early in the third period. This set up an tense final period but the Coyotes were unable to find the game levelling goal.
@ Blue Jackets (L)
If the Coyotes wanted to ensure their participation in the post season they need to shake out of this slump. February was awesome, March, very much less so! The Coyotes travelled to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets for the second time in a few days. The symptom of this poor form has been the Yotes poor starts in games. Tonight would be no different, in just 4 minutes the Blue Jackets were two goals to the good. Vermett did get one back for the Coyotes before the end of the first period. Derek MacKenzie put the Blue Jackets two clear before Yandle reduced the arrears again. This left the Coyotes with one period to get leveller, sadly this did not come and the Phoenix poor run was extended again.
v Wild (L-SO)
The Coyotes just cant catch a break so far in March, they started this game against the Wild in, predictably, slow fashion. By the end of the first period the Wild were 2 goals up through Brodziak and Kampfer. No goals came in the second period but the Coyotes dug deep and pulled the game back in the third through Torres and Korpikoski forcing overtime. At least the Coyotes would get some points from the game and get the scoreboard ticking again. Dany Heatley secured the extra point for the Wild and the Coyotes finally got moving in March.
v Sharks (W)
The Coyotes needed to bounce back and get going in March, the Sharks would provide tough opposition. The Coyotes bounced back in some style, Mike Smith got his fifth shutout of the season and goals from Mikkel Boedker, Michael Stone and Raffi Torres ensure the Phoenix got a morale boosting 3-0 win. The win meaning so much more as it came against division opposition. Coming on from the SO loss against the Wild this win gave the Phoenix some much needed momentum.

v Predators (L-SO)
The Coyotes-Predators games so far have been epic encounters, the latest instalment at the Jobing arena was far far different. Both teams traded goals and ended the 60 minutes of regulation tied at 4 a piece. For the second time in the month of March the Coyotes went to a shoot-out, this time against the league leading Pekka Rinne. Rinne stopped Whitney, Vrbata and Boedker to give the Predators the extra point. Disappointing to loos the game the Coyotes did, at least, get something from it to keep their Pacific Division challenge alive.

@ Canucks (W)
When your struggling for form and scratching for wins the Rogers Arena in Vancouver is a difficult place to go! The Coyotes, in their own way, obviously didn't see it that way! With Vrbata lost to illness and then, allowing the Canucks a two goal head start the fight back and eventual win for the Coyotes was all the more impressive. In the end Antoine Vermettes PowerPlay goal in the third period would be the winner. The Coyotes began their short Canadian road trip in style.

@ Flames (L)
Next up for the Yotes was the Calgary Flames. Sadly the high from the win against the Canucks would not carry over into this game. In fact the Flames pounded the Coyotes in this game and ran out 4-1 winners. Jerome Iginla gave the Flames the lead before Ekman-Larsson pulled one back for Phoenix. Matt Stajan and an Alex Tanguay short handed effort killed off the Coyotes and gave the Flames the win. With the Flames being in the western conference the loss could well hurt the Coyotes come playoff time.
@ Oilers (W-SO)
This game would be Dave Tippett's 400th game in charge and the Coyotes would ensure it would be a happy marker. Throughout early March the Coyotes have made a habit of falling behind in the first period, this game they fell behind in the second period to goals from Eberle and Hemsky in just about 30 seconds. Thankfully, the ingrained fighting spirit of the Coyotes saw them come back into the game in the final session. Whitney and Torres, again, stepping up to force overtime. Nothing came from the extra session but the Coyotes won the game in the shootout.

@ Stars (L-SO)
The coyotes trip to the state of Texas saw the Coyotes take on another division rival in the Stars. After getting a win against the Sharks earlier in the month this would give the Coyotes a chance to make a real push for top spot. The prize for the Coyotes was to retain top spot in the division and it would take that fighting spirit again for the Coyotes. Trailing the Stars 3-1 after two periods Ekman-Larsson and Whitney brought the Coyotes level. Kari Lehtonen stopped all five shots the Coyotes had in the overtime period and, and for the fourth time in a month the Coyotes were headed for a shootout. Sadly, despite winning in a shootout against the Oilers, the Stars prevailed this time!
v Avalanche (W)
In a sign of how tight the race in the west is, at the start of the game the Coyotes were on the outside of the playoff race looking in. But come the end of the game the Coyotes went from ninth to third with a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. For most of March the Coyotes habit has been to make a slow start and recover, this time it was the Coyotes who made the better start. Towards the end of the second period the Coyotes were 3 goals to the good through markers from Langkow, Chipchura and Torres. The men from Phoenix had to fight off an Av's comeback during the thrid period but were able to seal the win.

@ Sharks (L-SO)
Another important division match up saw all the goals scored in the first 25 minutes of the game. Phoenix and San Jose traded goals until they were tied on 3 a piece. In a show of how tight the division has been, regulation couldn't separate them and neither could overtime. The game would require another shootout to decide the extra point. For Phoenix Boedker and Whitney tried but had their efforts saved and Handzus and Clowe scored for the Sharks giving the men from San Jose the extra point.

v Blues (L)
The Blues may have been stuttering in recent games but they are hot in the NHL this season, this game versus the Blues would also see Shane Doan sit out his final game of his suspension. To add to the struggle Vrbata and three other first team players were missing through injury, so the stars were not quite in alignment for the Coyotes. In the end Elliot in goal for St Louis was outstanding and the Blues were just too hot for Phoenix as they secured a win and moved above the Rangers in the Presidents Cup race.

v Sharks (W)
It's games against the Sharks that the Coyotes needs to win, especially as the pacific division is so tight every point is vital. The Coyotes March has been a little up and down so far but they have managed to grab points from a few losses this month. Going into this game Vrbata had been struggling with illness and been in a scoring slump. With Mike Smith having a storming game against the Sharks, banishing that debut loss to San Jose. Vrbata bounced right back with two goals in a 2-0 win for Phoenix. Both assisted by Ray Whitney to put him on 999 career points in the NHL. The Coyotes are now and amazing 29-1-0 in games after leading going into the final session.

v Ducks (W)Ray Whitney is proving to be one of the most important acquisitions in the Coyotes history! Released, bought out and waived during his 19 year career he is still going strong at the age of 39. The game against the Ducks saw him cross another milestone in his career, his 1,000th NHL point. A dominant Coyotes took the lead in the first period and sealed the deal in the second! The Coyotes special teams doing the damage with three goals in the second. Ray Whitney got the 1,000th point with an assist and then his 1,001st with a goal. Whitneys marker and Mike Smith's shutout got the Coyotes another valuable win.

Desert Dogs-a-Howlin' - January

Into 2012 and a tough month ahead for the Coyotes!

@Blues This would prove to be a tough game for Phoenix, the Blues on the back of a three game loosing skid faced the Coyotes who began a stretch of 10 games, 8 being road games. The Blues backlash began within 5 minutes of the first period and the Blues would end the first 2-1 up. Knowing how the Coyotes play the Blues got in their face quick, disrupted the play and got the lead early on. Coming into the second the next goal would be huge, and the Blues got it. Taking that 3-1 lead on the PP the Blues TJ Oshie but the game firmly in their hands. Into the third all the Coyotes could do was pressure the net, but St Louis held on and added an empty net marker with less than a minute to go. Final score Blues winning by a score of 4-1.

@Kings It says alot about the game when the top stars are the two goalies! The Coyotes rode into LA and came up against a resurgent Kings under the guidance of Darryl Sutter. A tight game with few chances can often be decided by a brilliant play, or a blown call. It has to be said the Coyotes got both, a massive glove save from Quick denied the Yotes early in the third during some great pressure. For the Kings to get some fortune after a missed call. The goalie interference by Johnson on Mike Smith, denied the chance of the save and the Kings found the winner in OT from Drew Doughty. Another loss, a frustrating one as the goal, maybe, shouldn't have stood. The only thing to hold onto, heading back to the desert was, the solitary point taken from the OT loss.

v Islanders Next up for the Coyotes, the visit of the struggling Islanders. This would be the Coyotes 19th home game of the season, coincidentally captain Shane Doan wears number 19....good omens maybe? Captain fantastic would be the star of the show and, after amassing over 1,100 NHL games and 305 goals the stars would align and Doan would get his hattrick. A slice of luck was needed too, with time running down Whitney had the puck looking for Doan and with less than 4.5sec in the game, the two connected for a goal. Or would it, the play went to review and, to the delight of those in attendance the goal was good! Phoenix needed this win, 5 one goal losses over the past 7 games hurts, so with Doan's hattrick and further markers from Ekman-Larsson and Pyatt the Phoenix dominated the Islanders.

@Rangers After a morale boosting win against one of New Yorks teams, the Coyotes headed north east to the big apple to take on the NHL's form team, the New York Rangers. Another tight game for the Coyotes the only goals of regulation didn't come until the third period. Fedotenko putting the blueshirts ahead only for Vrbata to bring Phoenix level. OT couldn't separate the two teams and, it seems, even penalty shots nearly couldn't! Going into the sixth round of shots Gaborik had to score to keep the Rangers alive, he did, and Derek Stepan clinched the extra point. So the Coyotes couldn't topple the leagues best tonight, but another point was secured.

@Red Wings No easy game for the Coyotes on this mini roadtrip! Rangers one night, now a trip to the Joe and the Red Wings. Phoenix coped well for this game and took the lead twice, but you know the Red Wings will keep coming. One goal is never enough, the Coyotes needed two, just couldn't get it! Vrbata and Pyatt put them ahead twice only for Filppula and Franzen to drag Detroit back into it. Like the previous night against the Rangers, OT couldn't decide the extra point and another shootout was needed. Six rounds were not needed tonight, just four! Henrik Zetterberg scoring for Detroit and, when Korpikoski's effort was saved Detroit got the other point!

@Blue Jackets After 'simple' games against the Rangers and Wings the Coyotes travelled to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets. The Coyotes worked hard, but by the end of the second it wasn't looking good. 4-2 down after goals from Kubalik, Nash, Russell and Brassard for Columbus and goals from Aucoin and Korpikoski for Phoenix the Coyotes had to go all out in the third. Vrbata brought the Coyotes within one goal midway through the third but the 4th never came. Maybe the gas was running on empty but it wasn't for trying! A tough loss to take, especially after taking points from the previous two losses but sometimes the bounces just don't go your way!

v Avalanche Heading into this game the Coyotes have, primarily, played the first half of the season on the road, the second half, 21 of 35 will be played back in the desert. After loosing the previous three games the Avalanche were sure to be in-line for a reaction. Some reaction too! Doan got his 40th multi-goal game and six other Coyotes recorded multiple point games as the Coyotes crushed the Avs. Doan and Boyd Gordon had a pair Klesla got a goal and Gilbert Brule got his first goal as a Coyotes ensured Phoenix picked up the two points. Chuck Kobasew got the solitary marker for Colorado.

@Ducks After the big win against Colorado the visit to Anaheim was the big come down for the Coyotes. Since their last meeting the Ducks are much improved under Boudreau no long solely reliant on the top line the Ducks got scoring from across their roster. With the loss the Coyotes road streak extended to 6 losses, their worst since 2009. Anaheim were 4-2 up going into the third period and shutout the Coyotes, scoring twice themselves to rout Phoenix 6-2. Francois Beauchemin lead the way with 3 points, Langkow and Chipchura getting the two goals for the Coyotes.

v Red Wings The Coyotes kicked off a 6 game homestand with the visit of the Red Wings to the Jobing.com arena. After watching the game, its amazing how many Red Wing's fans their are in Phoenix. Why don't they go more often, and not just turn out for Wings games? Anyway the Wings are a good team and would be difficult to beat. The game saw the Phoenix fourth line stand tall and score the goals. Ray Whitney and a second for Brule cancelled out goals for White and Bertuzzi for Detroit. OT, again, couldn't separate the teams and another shootout was needed. No goals scored in the first two rounds but a lovely effort from Bertuzzi secured the win for Detroit.....again! The homestand kicked off, but sadly with a loss!

v Lightning The Lightning came to town and for Mike Smith a chance to renew old acquaintances, especially with Roloson in goal for Tampa. The Lightning turning to the 42 year old as they are depleted on numbers. It would be a night of banging their heads against walls for the Coyotes, being 4-1 down by the end of the second it was obviously not going to be a good night for the Coyotes. Having said that, 40mins of frustration replaced by 20mins of a little success brought the Coyotes within one goal of sending it to OT. Ray Whitney scoring a PPG with just 4 mins to go gave the Coyotes a chance but the Lightning, and Roloson in particular, stood tall the secure the win.

v Senators The Senators came to town and, so did Kyle Turris, the contract hold-out was booed on every shift and nailed on his first foray onto the ice. The Coyotes needed to re-group after the poor loss to Tampa and respond with a performance. That, they got! Mike Smith putting in a stellar effort to give them the chance, the Coyotes were 2-1 up going into the third through goals from Brule and Doan. An early marker from Vrbata, giving some breathing room in the third was quickly cancelled out by Chris Neil made the third a tense affair. The Coyotes caught some luck when a Senators goal was disallowed and, with the win, the Coyotes snapped a 10 game one goal loss streak that had been building up!

v Ducks Despite early control the Coyotes were unable to remain so for the full 60 minutes. Badly struggling for some consistency the Coyotes sank to another loss on home ice, and a second in a row to the Ducks. Ray Whitney put the Coyotes ahead, but a devastating hattrick from Andrew Cogliano in the second period ripped the game from the Coyotes grasp. With the wind well and truly taken from their sails the Coyotes had no answer in the third. The Ducks got one more marker through the evergreen Teemu Selanne as the Ducks left the desert with a 4-1 win.

The Coyotes ended the month with a 3-5-4 record.