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Coyotes aim to extend win streak to 3 against Blues

Dec 23, 2011 - 3:55 PM (Sports Network) - The Phoenix Coyotes will shoot for just their second three- game winning streak of the season tonight, when they host the St. Louis Blues in a battle at Jobing.com Arena.

The Coyotes are tied for the eighth and final playoff seed in the West, but they haven't gained that standing by going on lengthy winning streaks. Phoenix has won consecutive games on six occasions this season, but the team's only three-game streak came from Oct. 27-Nov. 2.

Phoenix posted a pair of road wins this week, notching a 2-1 win over Florida on Tuesday before downing the Carolina Hurricanes by a 4-3 score on the following night.

The Coyotes trailed the Hurricanes by a 3-1 score at one point in the second period, but rattled off three unanswered goals to win the game. Rostislav Klesla and Lauri Korpikoski notched third-period goals to lift the Coyotes to two points.

"Even after the second period, I heard our guys talking, we felt like we had a chance to win the game," said Coyotes coach Dave Tippett. "We just had to put a solid 20 minutes in. Korpikoski gave us a great period and we found a way to win. That's what it's all about."

Cal O'Reilly and Ray Whitney also lit the lamp for Phoenix, which also won for the third time in four games. Jason LaBarbera stopped 34-of-37 shots for the win.

LaBarbera relieved Mike Smith in the third period of Tuesday's game at Florida after the Coyotes' No. 1 goalie suffered a lower body injury. Justin Pogge served as the backup on Wednesday.

The Coyotes are just 7-7-2 as the home team this year and have lost three of their last four in the desert. Phoenix's next tilt is set for Monday in Los Angeles.

The Blues, meanwhile, have lost two of their last three games following a four-game winning streak and were dealt a 3-2 regulation setback Wednesday night in Colorado. Former Blue Jay McClement scored the winner in the second period to help the Avalanche take the home win at the Pepsi Center.

Chris Stewart and David Backes each had a goal for the Blues, while Brian Elliott stopped 19 shots in the loss. The setback dropped Elliott to 13-3 on the season.

"I think they came at us early, got a couple of lucky bounces and they worked for their bounces," said Elliott. "We had to play come back hockey and we have to start with the lead and learn this as a lesson."

Blues forward David Perron notched an assist on Wednesday, giving him one goal and five helpers during a five-game point streak. He has eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in eight games this season after returning from a lengthy layoff due to a concussion.

St. Louis has lost its last two games on the road and is just 6-7-3 as the visiting team compared to a 13-3-1 record on home ice.

Tonight's tilt marks the first of four meetings between the Coyotes and Blues this season. Phoenix has taken three of the last four encounters in this series overall and St. Louis has lost its last two games at Jobing.com Arena.