(Sports Network) - The Phoenix Coyotes were able to slow down the red-hot
Anaheim Ducks in Phoenix. Doing the same at the Honda Center could be a much
more difficult task.
The Coyotes look to snap the Ducks' longest home winning streak in five years
on Wednesday night, when the clubs wrap a span of three meetings over five
days.
Phoenix played host to Anaheim on Saturday and Monday in an odd schedule quirk
and came away with 5-4 shootout victories on each night. The deja vu was
prominent as not only did the Coyotes win by the identical score, but they
overcame one-goal deficits twice in the third period in each game to force
overtime.
In Monday's meeting, Michael Stone had the game-tying goal 7:49 into the third
period and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was credited with the winner in the
shootout. Steve Sullivan also scored in the breakaway session and Mike Smith
stopped 4-of-5 skaters, getting beat only by Ryan Getzlaf.
Keith Yandle scored in regulation for his 200th NHL point, while Shane Doan
and Antoine Vermette added tallies. Smith stopped 27 shots as the Coyotes won
for the third time in four games and pulled to within eight points of the
Ducks for first place in the Pacific Division.
"Both teams know how desperate the points are, that's why there's responses
after responses," Doan said. "It's important for us to get as many points as
we can."
Getzlaf totaled a goal and two assists for the Ducks, who had won 10 of their
previous 12 prior to the consecutive shootout losses. Bobby Ryan, Matt
Beleskey and Corey Perry also lit the lamp, while Jonas Hiller made 36 saves
in the setback.
"No one is happy in here (with one point)," Hiller said.
Anaheim begins a three-game homestand and has won eight straight as the host
since a 5-0 loss to Vancouver on Jan. 25 in its home opener. It's the Ducks'
longest home winning streak since taking 10 in a row from Feb. 17-March 26,
2008.
Phoenix, though, has now won three straight and seven of its past 10 versus
the Ducks, but has lost two straight in Anaheim.
This is just the second time that the Coyotes are facing an opponent in three
straight regular-season games in franchise history. They also faced the Sharks
on Nov. 10, 12 and 15 in 2007.
This string of games marks the first time that the Ducks are facing the same
team in three straight contests.
The Sports Network