Coyotes want to enter All-Star break with momentum

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Coyotes have earned a point in seven of eight games since the new year dawned (3-1-4), and they are riding a season-high, five-game point streak (2-0-3).

They have one more game before the All-Star break.

A loss on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets wouldn’t derail the progress made this month, but a win would really reinforce the belief that the team is finally moving in the right direction.

“We seem to have turned a corner in terms of our play,” forward Brendan Perlini said. “Obviously, it wouldn’t be a great feeling if we didn’t play a good game so I think all the guys are raring to go. One more game to finish: we want to end on a good note.”

Coach Rick Tocchet has rarely complained about his team’s overall effort this season, but he was underscoring the need for that element with the thought of a break dancing in his players’ heads.

“All good teams in the league, when they get on a roll, they put their foot on the gas pedal. You win games that way,” he said. “To me, it’s a professional game [Thursday]. It’s before the break. I don’t know whether we’re going to win or lose, but we should empty the tank. We should be mentally focused.”

Lots of elements have come together for the Coyotes this month, but better defensive play from a healthy blue line and a healthy goalie has been the most noticeable change. Excluding shootout goals, the Coyotes have allowed 21 goals in eight January games.

Tocchet said the numbers show the team is spending less time in its own zone due to better work down low, a better job denying zone entries and a better job with zone exits. Much of that can be attributed to the defense corps finally fielding a full lineup.

“That’s what we were expecting it would look like and hoping it would look like,” general manager John Chayka said. “The fact that it is coming together the way we hoped is a really positive sign.”

So has been the play of goalie Antti Raanta. In seven January starts, Raanta has allowed 14 goals on 212 shots for a .934 save percentage.

“Early in the season, there was always at least one bad misread in the games that cost us a goal or almost cost us a goal,” Raanta said. “I feel like right now I’m more consistent. It’s been working and it’s fun to play, especially when you know you’re doing the right things.”

The Coyotes are largely healthy as they head toward the break. Forward Jordan Martinook practiced Tuesday but did not skate on a regular line. He appeared to be wearing some sort of brace on his left hand in the locker room. Tocchet termed him day-to-day.

Other than that, the Coyotes should have everyone at their disposal in their last game before the break.

“We want to keep that feeling going into the break, and come out of it with some momentum, too,” defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson said.

Blue Jackets at Coyotes

When: 7 p.m., Thursday
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale
TV: FOX Sports Arizona
Radio: ESPN 620 AM
Records: Coyotes –10-28-7. Blue Jackets — 23-13-6.
Injury report: Coyotes — F Jordan Martinook (upper body) is day-to-day. Blue Jackets — D Ryan Murray (back) and F Brandon Dubinsky (fractured orbital bone) are out indefinitely. F Sonny Milano (oblique) is out four to six weeks.

Blue Jackets scouting report: F Brandon Dubinsky was sent back to Columbus on Tuesday, leaving the Blue Jackets’ road trip early to deal with ongoing personal issues that have hampered his season and could threaten his career, sources told The Athletic. … Entering play Wednesday, injury-ravaged Columbus was holding down an Eastern Conference wild card spot. … F Artemi Panarin leads the Jackets with 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists). … F Cam Atkinson (broken foot) will return to the lineup against the Coyotes. … F Tyler Motte was re-assigned to Cleveland (AHL).

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