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Coyotes hit the road to face Blue Jackets

Oct 10, 2007 - 2:11 PM Phoenix (1-1-0) at Columbus (1-1-0) 7:00 pm EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- The Phoenix Coyotes will play their first road game of the season on Wednesday when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In order to walk away with the road victory, the Coyotes will rely heavily on Sergei Federov and the rest of the forwards to provide the offense. Federov, who had 42 points last season, registered a goal and an assist in this year's first contest against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

Rick Nash will also help shoulder the offensive load. Nash logged four points, two goals and two assists, against the Ducks as the Blue Jackets shut out the defending Stanley Cup champions, 4-0. The 23-year-old Nash is looking to follow-up his 2006-07 campaign when he scored 27 goals and 30 assists.

While the offense has helped Columbus win games, goalie Pascal Leclaire has also been perfect in net. Leclaire is scheduled to make his second start of the season on Wednesday after making 28 saves against the Ducks on Friday for his first shutout of the season. Leclaire had only one shutout in 24 games last season, missing a majority of action due to knee and lower body injuries.

The Coyotes, who lost their last game against the Boston Bruins, 3-1, on Saturday, will need to improve their special teams play if they are to counter the Blue Jackets' strong offense. Phoenix is 0-for-9 on the power play this season and has allowed two goals on seven chances while playing shorthanded.