The Detroit Red Wings lost their first shootout of the season on Saturday, and now are trying to get back in the win column to end their current five-game road trip. Detroit has struggled mightily on the road this season, but have managed to win two of the four games played thus far on this trip, and would love to finish it off with a win. On Monday, they take on the Phoenix Coyotes before launching a six-game homestand.
They'd like to start the homestand off with the ability to go on a winning streak. A 5-4 shootout loss toe Edmonton in their last outing has to sting, especially given their offensive prowess of late. Still, if winning shootouts on the road is the best they can do away from the Joe Louis Arena, they'd certainly take that over losing shootouts.
Phoenix has certainly struggled of late, but they picked up a big 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks in their last outing, and are trying for a winning streak of their own to close out six-game homestand. They've lost three of those games, with their other win coming over the Senators on Jan. 24, and a .500 mark is certainly not what they had in mind when it started, but it's the best they can do at this point.
Detroit has taken all three of the meetings between these two teams this season, with the last two games coming in the shootout. The big story is the fact that Jimmy Howard remains out, so guys like Joey MacDonald and Ty Conklin will certainly have to step up. Phoenix has done well putting points on the board recently and all season, so Detroit will need to really step it up defensively for this one.
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