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Struggling Coyotes look to get on the board vs. Lightning

Jan 8, 2009 - 11:35 AM Tampa Bay (11-18-10) at Phoenix (19-17-5) 9:00 p.m. EST

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The Phoenix Coyotes are trying to put an end to a two-game losing streak - and that's the least of their problems. First, they've got to figure out a way to score a goal.

After being shut out in back-to-back games, the Coyotes will try to snap out of it on Thursday as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Phoenix is currently situated in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, but won't last there much longer with more performances like its last two. The Coyotes got off a total of 51 shots in meetings with Anaheim and Chicago, but failed to hit the back of the net.

First it was a 2-0 loss to the Ducks on Saturday, followed by a 6-0 shellacking at the hands of the Blackhawks on Tuesday. Chicago scored four times in the first period to take control and Jonathan Toews finished off the scoring with a goal in the second and another in the final session. Phoenix goaltender Mikael Telqvist was pulled after just one period in favor of Ilya Bryzgalov.

The Lightning, meanwhile, continue to toil near the bottom of the Southeast Division. Their 95 goals are the third-fewest in the league and they have a league-high 10 overtime losses this campaign.

However, they opened their five-game road trip in strong fashion on Saturday, as Martin St. Louis scored twice and Vaclac Prospal had two assists en route to a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.