Coyotes 4 - 3 Blues
Final
  for this game

Blues seek to get on track against Coyotes

Jan 10, 2011 - 4:04 PM (Sports Network) - The sliding St. Louis Blues will try again for their first win of the 2011 calendar year when they host the Phoenix Coyotes tonight at Scottrade Center.

St. Louis ended 2010 with five straight victories, but Davis Payne's club is 0-2-1 so far in January.

The Blues fell to 14-6-2 on home ice this year after dropping a close regulation decision Saturday against the New York Rangers. Martin Biron turned aside 24 shots to help the Rangers notch the 2-1 decision.

Brad Winchester had the lone goal and Jaroslav Halak allowed two goals on 24 shots for the Blues, who went 0-for-6 on the power play in the setback.

"We weren't patient, we weren't poised, they kept putting pressure on us and we weren't able to get anything setup out there today," said St. Louis center Alex Steen.

The Blues are 0-for-9 on the power play during their current skid and they are ranked 26th in the NHL with a 14.9 percent success rate on the man advantage.

Phoenix, meanwhile, had a two-game win streak halted in its last outing, losing an overtime decision Saturday against visiting Buffalo. Drew Stafford potted a goal with 1:48 left in OT to help the Sabres post the 2-1 victory at Jobing.com Arena.

Scottie Upshall lit the lamp for the Coyotes and Jason LaBarbera made 30 saves in the losing effort.

"I have to say that I feel like we left a point at the table," said Phoenix head coach Dave Tippett. "For 50 minutes there we played a very good hockey game. But you want to get the two points when they're there."

Ilya Bryzgalov could be back in net tonight for the Coyotes. Phoenix's No. 1 netminder sat out the last two contests due to a family medical issue. Bryzgalov allowed four goals in a loss to St. Louis on New Year's Eve and is 5-8-1 with a 3.03 goals-against average in his career against the Blues.

The Blues recorded a 4-3 regulation win over the Coyotes in St. Louis on Dec. 31 to even the season series at one game apiece. St. Louis has taken seven of 10 overall from the Coyotes and the Blues have won four out of five on home ice in this series.

Phoenix, which will wrap a brief two-game road trip tomorrow in Columbus, is 11-8-4 as the guest this season.






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