Coyotes 2 - 5 Red Wings
Final
  for this game

Coyotes try to solve Red Wings in Detroit

Dec 8, 2011 - 4:01 PM (Sports Network) - The Phoenix Coyotes had their last two seasons ended by the Red Wings and will try to exact a small measure of revenge when they visit Detroit for tonight's battle at Joe Louis Arena.

The Coyotes made their first trip to the postseason in eight years in the spring of 2010 and lost in seven games to Detroit in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, Phoenix was back in the postseason picture and was swept in the opening round by the Red Wings.

Phoenix has won three of its last five meetings against the Red Wings in the regular season, but Detroit has taken eight of 10 at the Joe.

The Coyotes, who are 9-4-1 on the road this year, have opened a three-game road trip with back-to-back wins and will try to complete a perfect swing tonight.

After posting a shootout win in Chicago to kick off the trek on Monday, the Coyotes also won the following night in Nashville in dramatic fashion. Keith Yandle's tally with 1:45 left in regulation lifted Phoenix over the Predators, 3-2, at Bridgestone Arena.

Taylor Pyatt and Ray Whitney also scored for the Coyotes, who lead the Pacific Division with 33 points and have won two in a row and four of six. Jason LaBarbera picked up the victory with 30 stops.

Detroit, meanwhile, will try to get back on track tonight after losing two straight on the heels of a season-best seven-game winning streak. The Red Wings lost both games on the road, but enter tonight riding a seven-game winning streak on home ice.

The Red Wings are 10-2-1 overall as the host this season.

Detroit scored first in Tuesday's game at St. Louis, but Patrik Berglund's goal early in the third period proved the be the game-winner as the Blues defeated the Red Wings, 3-2.

Johan Franzen and Jiri Hudler tallied for the Red Wings, while Jimmy Howard made 23 saves in defeat.

"They're a good defensive team," Franzen said. "When you fall behind, it's tough to come back."

Red Wings forward Valtteri Filppula missed Tuesday's game with a leg laceration and is questionable for tonight's tilt. The Finn is third on Detroit with 21 points this season.






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