The Phoenix Coyotes had the Dallas Stars and the final playoff spot in their sights, until the Nashville Predators played the spoiler.
With three games left on their schedule going into last nights game, Phoenix had every advantage to get into the postseason. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, however, stopped 29 shots in a 2-0 win against Phoenix on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.
The loss leaves the Coyotes (87pts) still two points behind Dallas, with Dallas in action tonight against St. Louis.
A win tonight for the Stars will clinch the final wild card spot out west, and make Sunday’s finale between the Stars and Coyotes meaningless.
“I don’t know if we’ll sit down and watch it, but I’ll be keeping up on what’s going on,” Phoenix Defenseman Michael Stone said.
If the Stars lose in overtime or in a shootout Friday, then the Coyotes would have to defeat the San Jose Sharks in any fashion Saturday. Then the Coyotes would have to top the Stars in regulation Sunday, to qualify for the postseason.
“Not enough push,” Phoenix Coach Dave Tippett said. “Not enough plays being made to generate the speed going into the offensive zone. Disappointing for sure.”
The Coyotes have played awful down the stretch, going 2-4-4 in their last 10 games.
“We haven’t created enough,” Tippett said, “and when we do create the chances we create we haven’t finished. It’s frustrating.”
Look for Mike Smith to be between the pipes the rest of the season. It’ll be fun if the season can come down to Sunday’s game.
“That’s where we are,” Tippett said. “The roller coaster continues.”
Game Picks: Blues 2-1, Blue Jackets 3-2, Blackhawks 4-2
photo credit: getty images
