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' - February

February would be a tough month with plenty of games in a short month for the Coyotes, the month would see a fairly even split of home games versus away games. There would be some tough ones, especially against those in the same division as the Coyotes.

v Sharks (W)
The month began with the Coyotes taking on the San Jose Sharks, one of the teams Phoenix will be battling with for play off position in the pacific division. Going into this game the Coyotes had lost to the Ducks with Mike Smith giving up 4 goals on 18 shots. Something had to give, and the bit back began against the Sharks. Smith redeemed himself stopping 32 shots to give the Coyotes a good base and Korpikoski gave the Coyotes the offensive punch they needed getting a pair of goals. Raffi Torres and Hanzal each chipped in with a goal and Radim Vrbata ensured the Coyotes got February off to the best start they could with the empty net insurance goal.

v RedWings (W)
The Wings are a team the Coyotes always struggle with, and always seem to meet in the playoffs. With Hanzal and Gordon back in the lineup the Coyotes were balanced and finally were able to solve their Wings problem. Smith gave the Coyotes another good based to start with, a great 30 save effort and the Coyotes finally got the offence to beat the Wings. Gordon getting things off the best of starts with a short handed effort early on. With each team trading a goal in the second period it came down to an Empty Netter to seal the points for the Coyotes. With Hanzal getting the insurance with less than 30sec to go.

@ Stars (W)
The Coyotes made the short...ish trip south to Texas to take on the Stars and hope to get much needed points off a division rival. Mike Smith continued his great form with a 28 shot save effort and with the Phoenix scoring spread over 10 players the Coyotes got a deserved win against the Stars. Yandle got the Coyotes train rolling and goals from Vrbata and Torres kept it moving before Derek Morris got his first of the season to add the icing on top. Lhetonen in goal for the Stars had a worrying moment stopping a slap shot with his head, credit to him he stayed in the game for the Stars. For the Phoenix Yandle left the game during the third with a lower body injury but nothing too serious.

v Flames (W)
The Coyotes returned to the Desert to take on the Calgary Flames, having been back in 12th place just a week ago, the Coyotes recent hard work has seen them return to the playoff hunt. With Mike Smith putting in another impressive performance between the pipes, Phoenix were able to beat another playoff contender and extend their recent winning run. Taylor Pyatt got the Coyotes on the board first, but Olli Jokinen pegged them back. With the game going into OT the Coyotes were guaranteed at least a point but, one thing that typifies this Coyotes team is hard work and a will to win. This was evident when Shane Doan scored a one time shot with just 1min 53sec in OT to give the Coyotes the W!

v Blackhawks (W)
Perhaps all the omens coming into this game were giving the Coyotes the edge before it began. Three weeks prior the Blackhawks had the best record in the NHL, one week ago the Coyotes were 13 points behind Chicago and, with Mike Smith getting a shutout in this game. The tables have turned! With Jeremy Roenick in the house to be inducted to the Coyotes 'Ring of Honor' the Coyotes had a reason to play. Kyle Chupchura got things going with a fight less than two minutes into the game which got the, standing room only, crowd going. Vrbata and Gordon got the scoring going for the Phoenix and, after his earlier fight, Chipchura capped off his game with the Phoenix 3rd in a 3-0 shutout of the Blackhawks,

@ Canucks (L-SO)
The Coyotes winning run would be sorely tested on this visit to the cold north west and the Vancouver Canucks. A team boasting the offensive talent of the Sedin twins are almost always guaranteed to score. With LeBarbera giving Mike Smith a rest the Coyotes 5 game winning streak came to an end with a shootout loss to the Canucks. Yandle's eight goal of the season cancelled out Booth's earlier score for the Canucks. LeBarbera was left frustrated after conceding the game winner in the 6th round of shots. A sign of how fare this Yotes team has come is how frustrated they are with the loss. Any team would be pleased to get anything from Vancouver, but LeBarbera and the Coyotes were not. Still a loss was recorded but the leaderboard point total is kept ticking over!

@ Kings (W)
Heading back south along the pacific coast the Coyotes next stop was Staples Centre and the LA Kings. This game would not be pretty, each team are involved in the playoff race and this one would not be for the purists! Four fights and 40 penalty minutes in the opening period alone set the tone for the night. Maybe it was not a surprise that the game was settled by a solitary goal. Phoenix put up a big effort in the third period restricting LA to just four shots in the first 15 minutes and denied the Kings on their 6 on 4 advantage for the final 90 seconds. Mike Smith got his fourth shutout of the season and the red hot Vrbata's 27th of the season gave the Phoenix the win and got them back on winning ways.

v Stars (W-OT)
Over the past two weeks the mantra for the Coyotes has been simple! Mike Smith will do the shot stopping and Radim Vrbata will do the scoring! That formula has resulted in 15 points from the past eight games. Phoenix got on the board first with Mikkel Boedker scoring in the first period. Mike Smith ended the game with 30 saves and Vrbata got his 10th game winner with an overtime effort just 1min 15sec into the OT period, The Stars Michael Ryder scored an impressive mid air goal to tie the game but the Coyotes ground out another win, their second of the month against division rivals the Dallas Stars. A big crowd in the Jobing.com witness the legend Alice Cooper perform the ceremonial puck drop on Alice Cooper Bobblehead Night!

v Kings (W-SO)
After their previous 'Battle of Los Angeles' something wasn't right for Phoenix at the start of this game. A poor beginning saw the Coyotes 3-0 down after the first session. The Kings had goals from Doughty, Loktionov and Brown to give them a comfortable lead the Coyotes would have to show some desire and fight to get back into this game. The Coyotes got the perfect star in the second period with Vrbata getting a power play goal after 50 seconds! Shane Doan got his first of two in the period on the powerplay and his second came after Williams for the Kings had scored. Though the comeback was not complete the outlook on the game was far rosier than it had after the first! Vrbata is on fire at the moment and what a time to get his 30th of the season, with less than three minutes to go his 30th came on the poerplay and tied the game sending it to OT and penalties. In the third ound of the shoot out the experienced Ray Whitney secured the extra point for the Coyotes to keep the Coyotes train rolling.

@ Flames (W-SO)
In a month of pairs the Coyotes headed back north to Calgary to try and secure their second win over the Flames in a month. For the second game in a row the Coyotes had a poor first period where they found themselves down a pair of goals. Much like the Kings game the Coyotes determination and will to win would see them haul themselves back into the game. While the first was the Flames, the second was the Coyotes. Goals from Langkow and Doan brought them level and Whitney gave them the lead in the third. Jokinen tied it again on the PPG for the Flames and, with no goals in OT, the game would go to penalty shots. The second in a row for the Coyotes. It was down to Whitney again to score the game winner in the shootout and ensure another pair of points headed back to the desert.

@ Oilers (W)
At the beginning of the month the Coyotes looked to be falling out of the playoffs, this game and the win, saw them climb to the pacific division summit. Mike Smith backstopped the team with another superb effort turning aside 21 shots and the senior players putting up the offense the Coyotes beat Edmonton 3-1. The first period start gave the Coyotes the edge with goals from Ekman-Larsson and Whitney. Nugent-Hopkins got one back for the O's but Shane Doan got his 20th of the season towards the end of the third to secure another win.With the win the Coyotes swept Alberta to head home to the desert.

v Canucks (W-SO)
After losing a shootout in Vancouver this was a chance for the Coyotes to exact revenge and cap an amazing February. In a sign of how hot the Coyotes currently are, even the NHL's best team could not stop them on home ice. Vancouver got the first goal of the game in the first period on the powerplay, but the Coyotes tied things up through Ray Whitney in the third. For the second time the extra 5min session couldn't separate either team and it was down to a goalie duel. However this time Mike Smith would emerge victorious, As he has so many times this month Ray Whitney scored on the shoot out and, with Boadker also scoring, the Coyotes rounded out February at the top of the Pacific division and a record of 11-0-1 month.