Tampa Bay (11-18-10) at Phoenix (19-17-5) 9:00 p.m. EST
GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The Phoenix Coyotes are trying to
put an end to a two-game losing streak - and that's the least of
their problems. First, they've got to figure out a way to score
a goal.
After being shut out in back-to-back games, the Coyotes will try
to snap out of it on Thursday as they host the Tampa Bay
Lightning.
Phoenix is currently situated in the eighth and final playoff
spot in the Western Conference, but won't last there much longer
with more performances like its last two. The Coyotes got off a
total of 51 shots in meetings with Anaheim and Chicago, but
failed to hit the back of the net.
First it was a 2-0 loss to the Ducks on Saturday, followed by a
6-0 shellacking at the hands of the Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Chicago scored four times in the first period to take control
and Jonathan Toews finished off the scoring with a goal in the
second and another in the final session. Phoenix goaltender
Mikael Telqvist was pulled after just one period in favor of
Ilya Bryzgalov.
The Lightning, meanwhile, continue to toil near the bottom of
the Southeast Division. Their 95 goals are the third-fewest in
the league and they have a league-high 10 overtime losses this
campaign.
However, they opened their five-game road trip in strong fashion
on Saturday, as Martin St. Louis scored twice and Vaclac Prospal
had two assists en route to a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta
Thrashers.
