The Phoenix Coyotes hot streak is over. After winning seven in a row, the Howlers have now lost two straight, including a 3-0 loss to the Predators last night in Nashville.
This is the first time the Coyotes have lost two straight all season. Rackin' up penalties certainly didn't help.
The Coyotes found themselves down a man seven times in the loss, and the Predators were able to capitalize on it twice. Nashville's third goal was an empty-netter with 25 seconds left in the game.
Cal O'Reilly and Shea Weber each scored power play goals for the
Predators, Weber's in the first period, and O'Reilly's in the second.
The Coyotes -- per usual -- failed to take advantage of their own power play opportunities.
The Howlers had the man advantage three times but failed to score on each time.
"We had some guys really play hard, but in the end, you can't take
penalties like that and expect to be successful," Phoenix coach Dave
Tippett told the Associated Press after the game. "That's something that will be addressed."
Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne was impossible to beat last night -- and the Coyotes certainly tried.
Despite the seven penalty kill situations, the Coyotes managed to get 33 shots on Rinne. He stopped all of them.
As for Phoenix goalie Illya Bryzgalov, who's amongst the best goalies in the league, not so much.
Bryzgalov only faced 20 shots in the loss -- giving up three. However,
some slack should be cut -- again, two of the goals were power play
goals, and the other an empty-netter.
"This was a big game for us, but that is part of what the NHL is,"
Phoenix captain Shane Doan told the Associated Press after the game.
"You get lots of chances to respond, and we have a great chance tomorrow
night."
Next up for the Coyotes is the Wild tonight in Minnesota. Click here for more info.
