phoenix notes
phoenix notes
from az republic...
Going into the season's final 29 games, just five points separate the Coyotes from first-place San Jose in the Pacific Division. Just four points separate them from sixth place in the West and only one point separates them from eighth place Dallas and ninth-place Vancouver.
The key point is that with 29 games remaining, 25 are against Western Conference opponents.
That means that the Coyotes hold their fate in their hands, beginning with tonight's 8:30 meeting with Vancouver at GM Place.
"Every game from now on is important," Francis said. "The teams we're playing are mostly teams that we're competing against for a playoff spot. So basically they're four-point games. It's nice to remember that we won five of six, but these games are that much more important, because they are four-point games."
Leading scorer Daniel Briere has been ill with flu-like symptoms for three days, and Francis can only list him as doubtful. If Briere can't play, Francis said he will go with seven defensemen, or possibly with rookie Krys Kolanos taking Briere's spot.
But Kolanos has been on the shelf for six games over two weeks and has three solid days of skating behind him, which makes Francis question his conditioning. Loosely translated,
it will be a game-time decision.
Upon arriving in Vancouver after the four-day All-Star break, Francis had his team practice during the Super Bowl, focusing on defensive coverage down low and conditioning in hopes of jogging memories of what was done right during the trip.
"We had that discussion before we went into the break after our last game at Florida," he said. "We have to remember our frame of mind. We have to remember what we accomplished, and how we did it. It was with sound defensive play in all three areas."
