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Coyotes try to turn around early season struggles vs. Stars

Oct 27, 2007 - 2:07 PM Dallas (4-3-2) at Phoenix (3-5-0) 10:00 pm EDT

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - The Phoenix Coyotes will try to win back-to-back games against Pacific Division foes when they face the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

The Coyotes, who are currently in last place in the Pacific and second-to-last in the Western Conference, are coming off their biggest win of the season, a 1-0 defeat of the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. Craig Weller's first career goal was the difference as Phoenix snapped a 10-game winless streak against Anaheim.

While the goal lifted the Coyotes to victory, the key to the win was the penalty-killing unit. Phoenix successfully killed six penalties against the Ducks, uncharacteristic for a team which is ranked 25th in the NHL while playing shorthanded.

The win also broke a three-game slide for the Coyotes, who were outscored by a combined 12-6 in losses to the Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings.

The Stars, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 setback to Los Angeles on Thursday for their first loss against the Kings in the last 10 contests.

Despite the loss, the Stars remain in second place in the Pacific Division. However, Dallas has struggled on the road this season, posting just a 1-3-1 record away from home.

A win in Phoenix is paramount for the Stars as they are in the midst of a 10-game stretch in which they play nine contests against division opponents.