Coyotes fighting with others for Western Conference playoff spot

The Phoenix Coyotes have four games left in the regular
season, all which are crucial into securing a spot
in the playoffs. Currently, the Coyotes are sitting
seventh in the Western Conference, which makes the team
viable for postseason play. But a few teams are on
Phoenix’s heels to take a spot in the playoffs.

Phoenix Coyotes (38-27-13) 89 points, seventh in
the Western Conference

Remaining Games:

* Anaheim Ducks (33-33-11) 77 points, out of playoff
contention.

The Coyotes are 2-3 against the Ducks this season, who are
last in the Pacific Division. Anaheim is led by 41-year-
old Teemu Selanne in points with 64.

* Columbus Blue Jackets (25-45-7) 57 points, out of
playoff contention

Columbus’ season has been a disappointment, though not
because of the play of Rick Nash, who leads the team in
points and goals. The Blue Jackets give up 3.2 goals per
game, which is 29th overall, but the Coyotes have not beat
them in the three meetings this season.

* at St. Louis Blues (48-20-10) 106 points, first in the
Western Conference

The Blues should be the biggest threat in the last few
games for the Coyotes. St. Louis has won all three match-
ups against Phoenix this season, outscoring them 11-3 in
those games. The Blues are led by David Backes in goals
and points with 23 and 53, respectively, and have allowed
1.8 goals per game, the lowest in the NHL.

* at Minnesota Wild (32-35-10) 74 points, out of playoff
contention

The Minnesota Wild haven’t had much luck scoring this
season, and are ranked 30th in the league in scoring with
an average of two goals per game, but have had much
success against Phoenix this season, beating them twice in
three match-ups.

Who Coyotes are battling with:

Los Angeles Kings (38-27-12) 88 points, eighth in
the Western Conference

LA has five more games left in the season, which could
easily earn them more points than the Coyotes. But their
schedule consists of two games against the Edmonton
Oilers, whom they have fallen to twice this season, two
matchups against San Jose, and one more bout against
Minnesota.

San Jose Sharks (39-29-10) 88 points, fighting for
playoff spot

San Jose has two meetings with the L.A. Kings and two with
the Dallas Stars, who they are 3-1 against for the season.
Joe Thorton leads the team with 72 points and 56 assists.

Colorado Avalanche (40-33-6) 86 points, fighting
for playoff spot

The three games left for Avalanche include matches against
Calgary, who they are 1-4 against this season, Columbus,
who they’ve taken two of three from, and Nashville, who
has beaten them twice in two meetings. Colorado hasn’t won
a game since March 20.

*Calgary Flames (35-28-15) 85 points, fighting for
playoff spot

The Flames end their regular season against Colorado,
Vancouver and Anaheim. Calgary is 2-2 against Vancouver
and 1-2 against Anaheim, and is led by Jarome Iginla in
points and goals.

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