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Coyotes end slide behind Lisin, Bryzgalov

Feb 12, 2009 - 5:38 AM DALLAS (Ticker) -- Ilya Bryzgalov appears to have the number of the Dallas Stars.

Bryzgalov made 33 saves and Enver Lisin scored early in the second period as the Phoenix Coyotes halted their six-game losing streak Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over the Stars.

Defenseman Ken Klee and Daniel Winnik each notched an assist for the Coyotes, who also ended a four-game road skid in improving to 3-1-1 against the Stars this season and 5-1-1 in their last seven visits to Dallas.

"Although we lost the last six games, four of those were heartbreakers," Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky said. "It was a good bounce-back today."

"It's almost where we need the points if we want to fight for a playoff spot," Bryzgalov added. "We're not that far (in the standings) from these guys (Dallas). I hope this gives us some confidence."

Bryzgalov turned aside eight shots in both the first and third periods while stopping 17 in the middle session for his third shutout of the season and eighth career. The Russian also blanked Dallas on January 10, when he produced a 38-save performance in a 1-0 shootout triumph.

"I don't know what to say," Bryzgalov said of his recent success against the Stars. "I just played and tried to stop the puck. ... I was just lucky. I just tried to stop the puck and do my job."

"You don't imagine it to hold up, but it's not our first 1-0 loss to these guys," Turco said. "It's disappointing. We're not in the business of looking good with no results.

Marty Turco stopped 28 shots for the Stars, who lost in regulation for just the second time in their last 14 home games (11-2-1).

"This is a good dose of reality for us after a couple games where a lot went our way," Dallas coach Dave Tippett said. "We have to get back to work. Every day is going to be a grind from here on out."

In making his 24th consecutive start, Turco set the franchise record previously held by Cesare Maniago, who started 23 games in a row for the Minnesota North Stars in 1968-69.

Phoenix had been winless since posting a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on January 20. During its six-game slide, which included a pair of shutouts, the club scored a total of 10 goals.

The offensive struggles continued in this one as the Coyotes were kept off the scoresheet in the first period despite outshooting the Stars by an 11-8 margin. But they broke through for the only goal Bryzgalov needed in the early stages of the middle session.

After receiving a pass from Klee at Dallas' blue line, Lisin skated down the right wing and cut toward the net, using an official as a screen in order to get ahead of defenseman Darryl Sydor. From the doorstep, the 22-year-old Russian beat Turco to the stick side with a wrist shot at 2:19 for his ninth goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.

"Perfect bounce off the boards that went to (Lisin)," Turco said. "I wish, in hindsight, I could have waited a touch longer, but he made a great shot going side to side."

Instead of discussing his goal, Lisin wanted to praise the effort of his goaltender.

"It's about Bryzgalov," he said. "He's a huge part of our team. He likes the Stars, maybe because they give him a lot of shots."

The Stars held the advantage in shots in the middle session, 17-8, but were unable to get the equalizer past Bryzgalov. The club registered four in a 10-second span with 5 1/2 minutes left in the period, all of which were denied.

"The second period, we missed an opportunity to make it 1-1, and we couldn't beat him," Dallas' Brad Richards said. "He made a lot of saves."

Mike Modano had Dallas' best opportunity in the second but was stopped on a breakaway at 9:14. The veteran also had a glorious chance from the doorstep as time was winding down in the third, but Bryzgalov made the save with 27 seconds remaining.

"It was huge," Coyotes captain Shane Doan said of holding on for the win. "We haven't been winning this type of game. ... Both teams were playing well, both goaltenders were exceptional. Bryzie won the game by himself."

Phoenix also was credited with 24 blocked shots, a key statistic according to Dallas.

"They block a lot of shots," Stars All-Star defenseman Stephane Robidas said. "We were in their zone a lot, too, but we couldn't get any really good scoring chances."

"We generated some shots but couldn't capitalize," Tippett added. "They blocked a lot of shots, showing their desperation. We had ample chances to score in the second and we just couldn't break through."