Phoenix Coyotes Continue To Shut Out the NHL

The Phoenix Coyotes concluded a three-game road trip last night leaving all 18,087 fans in the Scottrade Arena singing the Blues.

The month of October has been very good to the Coyotes. The Coyotes are 8-4 on the season with star goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov improving his record to 7-3. Three of those wins were shutouts by the Russian goaltender.

Bryzgalov has built himself a strong resume early in the season as he currently tied with Ryan Miller for fourth place in wins. Bryzgalov also leads the league in shutouts. Without Bryzgalov in net, the Coyotes wouldn’t be where they are today. From a statistical standpoint, there are no Coyotes in the top 30 in goals, assists or points.

Instead, the Coyotes are playing as a team, a good team. It all starts with leadership as Captain Shane Doan and Assistant Captain Ed Jovanovski are having excellent games this season. Doan leads the team in assists, meanwhile Jovanovski is tied with Radim Vrbata in goals.

After what could have been a disaster game Monday night in Monday where Bryzgalov had to be pulled midway through the game. The Coyotes have bounced back winning the next two games in dominating fashion.

Coyotes backup goaltender Jason Labarbera earned his first win on the season Wednesday night after stopping 31 shots as the Coyotes got a payback victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets shutout the Coyotes on their home opener back on Oct. 10 through a sell-out crowd in Glendale.

You have to give credit to Coyotes coach Dave Tippett. The man deserves a lot of credit after being named Head Coach almost a week before the season. Tippett has lead the Coyotes to their best start since the Coyotes went 9-1-2 in 2000-2001. The Coyotes just missed the playoffs that year finishing ninth in the Western Conference.

The Coyotes return to Jobing Arena to host the Anaheim Ducks. The last time these two played each other was back on Apr. 11 which would be the last game Wayne Gretzky coached the Coyotes. The Coyotes needed a shootout to defeat the Ducks.

This time the Coyotes welcome back the Ducks to the Jobing Arena in hopes of beating the quack out of the Anaheim.