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Bryzgalov, Coyotes go for fourth straight win

Nov 24, 2007 - 3:12 PM Toronto (8-10-5) at Phoenix (10-10-0) 7:00 pm EST

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - The addition of Ilya Bryzgalov is helping to change the fortunes of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Bryzgalov will try to lead the Coyotes to their fourth consecutive victory when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Waived by the Anaheim Ducks earlier this month and claimed by the Coyotes, Bryzgalov got the better of his former team in a 4-3 shootout win Friday. Bryzgalov made 23 saves and denied both Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry with pad saves in the bonus format to secure the win.

Since being picked up by Phoenix on November 16, Bryzgalov has gone 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average and a shutout.

"We're happy we've got him," Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky said. "He's a tremendous young man, a great goaltender and we love the fact that we have him. It doesn't matter how good your team is, when it comes down to goaltending, you've got to have good goaltending."

The Maple Leafs have struggled recently, losing five of their previous six games. They have surrendered an NHL-worst 81 goals this season.

Mats Sundin leads Toronto in virtually every offensive category, including goals (11) and assists (17). No other player on the club has more than 20 points.