Off the Ice: San Jose win sets tone for playoff push

Three points.

That’s all that separates the Phoenix Coyotes and the eight playoff spot.
Two wins will put them over the edge. A win and a loss during free hockey.
Doesn’t seem so tough.

But the three teams in the way are. Calgary, Dallas and Colorado are all just
as hungry for that spot and cusp teams Minnesota and Los Angeles will
want to keep their reservations for the postseason. Every win at this point
becomes a necessity as the Coyotes eyes will likely go to the standings
each night, whether they play or not.

“Every win is going to be a crucial win for us,” said head coach Dave Tippett
after Saturday’s 5-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks.

Tip clearly couldn’t be more right. The win over the Pacific Division-leading
Sharks had the locker room in smiles and the confidence the players said
they were feeling was palpable.

“It was big,” said Coyotes captain Shane Doan. “We can’t really worry about
what we’ve done up to this point in the season. We’ve put ourselves in this
position and we just have to make sure we find ways to get out there and
get going.”

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