By ALAN FERGUSON
STATS Writer
Heading back out on the road hasn't slowed down the Phoenix Coyotes. Ending their three-game trip against the Vancouver Canucks might be a bit tougher.
The Coyotes go for their sixth straight win Sunday night in Vancouver - a place they traditionally struggle.
After winning a franchise-record 50 games in 2009-10, Phoenix got off to a slow start by going 4-5-5. Five straight wins, including three in a row on the road, have seemed to change the Coyotes' fortunes.
Phoenix (9-5-5) earned perhaps its most inspiring victory in its latest game, rallying from a three-goal deficit for a 4-3 shootout win in Edmonton on Friday night.
"We were on our heels and made some mental mistakes," coach Dave Tippett said. "We were fortunate to get over those. Usually when you make those you don't win. We'll take the points."
Tippett's team will next try to take advantage of the slumping Canucks (10-6-3), who are 0-2-1 since winning eight of nine.
In its return from a five-game trip, Vancouver endured its most lopsided defeat of the season, 7-1 to Chicago in Saturday night to snap the Canucks' six-game winning streak at Rogers Arena. Roberto Luongo was pulled for Cory Schneider after giving up four goals in the second period.
"The good thing is we play again (Sunday) night," Luongo said. "We got to forget about this one and start refocusing."
The Canucks have been outscored 14-5 during their three-game skid, and have fallen behind by at least two goals in four consecutive games.
"It's tough to play against any team when you're down," center Henrik Sedin said. "We were able to come back in a few games (before), but that's not going to happen every night."
They'll face a Coyotes team averaging four goals in its last four games after scoring four or more only four times in its first 15 contests.
Ray Whitney and Vernon Fiddler have both recorded hat tricks during the current hot streak. Lauri Korpikoski and Wojtek Wolski have each scored in consecutive games, with Wolski tallying the tying goal against the Oilers.
The Coyotes might get a boost from captain Shane Doan, who could return after missing seven games due to a lower-body injury.
They can use whatever boost they can get in Vancouver, where they are 2-14-0 with one tie since Jan. 24, 2001. Phoenix lost both of its visits there in 2009-10 by a combined 8-1 margin, but salvaged a split of the season series with a pair of shootout wins at home.
To earn a rare victory at Rogers Arena, they will likely have to solve Luongo, who is 8-3-1 with a 1.86 goals-against average in his last 12 matchups against Phoenix. He's also won six of seven at home over the Coyotes while posting a 1.58 GAA.
November 20, 2010
