• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Coyotes try to end scoring woes

Feb 3, 2009 - 3:20 PM Phoenix (24-22-5) at Nashville (22-24-3) 8:00 p.m. EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- After a brief flurry of offensive production, the Phoenix Coyotes are once again struggling to find the back of the net.

The Coyotes look to avoid their fourth straight regulation loss and third consecutive shutout when they visit the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

Following back-to-back blankings on January 4 and 6, Phoenix - which has been shutout an NHL-high eight times this season - averaged 3.4 goals per game en route to a 5-2-0 record over its next seven contests.

The Coyotes concluded that run of success by scoring a season-high six tallies during a three-goal victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings on January 20.

But, after taking a week off for the All-Star break, Phoenix returned and suffered a 7-3 setback to the Anaheim Ducks last Tuesday, and have failed to score since.

In all, the Coyotes have been held scoreless over the last 142 minutes, 26 seconds, going 0-for-13 on power plays in the last two games.

The Predators are returning home after claiming wins over the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers sandwiched around a loss to the Calgary Flames during a three-game road trip to Canada.

Rookie goaltender Pekka Rinne made 32 saves and J.P. Dumont and Martin Erat each tallied for Nashville during a 2-1 victory over the Oilers on Sunday.