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Slumping Wild aim to end skid against lowly Coyotes

Nov 24, 2006 - 2:34 PM Phoenix (7-14-0) at Minnesota (12-8-1) 2:00 pm EST

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) -- A date with the Phoenix Coyotes may be just what the struggling Minnesota Wild need right now.

The Wild aim to snap their three-game skid Friday when they host the lowly Coyotes.

After opening the season with nine wins in their first 10 games, the Wild have gone just 3-7-1 over their last 11 contests. They have struggled early in each of their past two losses, yielding a total of five goals combined in the opening period.

Minnesota allowed two first-period goals Wednesday in a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Defenseman Kim Johnsson had two assists for the Wild, who went scoreless on their four power plays in the contest.

Phoenix hopes to carry some momentum from its impressive 3-1 triumph over the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.

Dave Scatchard had a goal and an assist while Ladislav Nagy added two assists for the Coyotes, who have won three of their last five after going just 4-12-0 to start the season.