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Coyotes seek more success against Blue Jackets

Dec 20, 2008 - 3:35 PM Columbus (14-14-4) at Phoenix (15-13-4), 9:00 p.m. EST

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The young Phoenix Coyotes are finding ways to finish their games on a strong note.

Looking for their third winning streak of the month, the Coyotes host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.

The Coyotes have shown signs of life in the late stages of every game lately. They have outscored opponents, 13-2, in the third period in their last nine games.

Rookie Kyle Turris scored two goals - including one in the final session - in Phoenix's 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

Phoenix has outscored the opposition, 31-22, in the third period this season.

"We pride ourselves on our third periods," Turris said. "We have been saying in the dressing room all year long that the thirds are our best. That is the way we want to finish games playing well in the third."

Generating success on the offensive end may be a daunting task for Phoenix in this contest, considering the strong play of Blue Jackets rookie goaltender Steve Mason, who will likely get his ninth start in 11 games.

The 20-year-old Mason is 9-5-1 with a 1.91 goals-against average in 15 games.

Mason stopped 47 shots in Columbus' 2-1 overtime victory over the San Sharks on Wednesday. Two days later, the Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock gave fellow netminder Pascal Leclaire the nod and he faltered in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars.