(Sports Network) - The Phoenix Coyotes already have more three-game losing streaks this year than they did in all of 2009-10. The club will look to avoid a fourth straight setback tonight and deal the Chicago Blackhawks a fourth defeat in a row at the United Center.
The Coyotes are 0-1-2 over their last three games, marking the third time this year they have lost three consecutive games. They did that just twice last year in returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and will try to avoid dropping four in a row for the first time since a five-game skid from March 6-14, 2009.
Phoenix is 0-5 in games beyond regulation this season and after coming up on the short end of a 4-3 shootout loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday, it was dealt a 3-2 overtime setback in Detroit.
Ilya Bryzgalov finished with 37 saves, but was beaten for the game-winner 1:23 into overtime during a delayed penalty call for the Red Wings. Martin Hanzal and Keith Yandle had the goals for the Coyotes, who are 2-3-4 over their last nine games overall.
"Right now it's that one situation that takes the game from us," said Phoenix head coach Dave Tippett. "Penalties in overtime will kill you. We played good in the game, but our margin for error is very slim and right now we're letting it get the better of us."
The Coyotes played without captain Shane Doan, who is on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury.
Phoenix will try to extend Chicago's home losing streak to four games this evening after the Blackhawks were defeated by the Oilers, 2-1, on Sunday. Fernando Pisani scored the lone goal and Corey Crawford stopped 24-of-26 shots faced.
"We had some chances on our power play, but weren't able to get it done," said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville. "We have to be able to take better advantage of being at home and find a way to get things done."
Forward Marian Hossa returned to the lineup after missing five straight games with an upper-body injury. Center Dave Bolland, meanwhile, missed his fifth contest in a row because of a rib injury, but could return to action tonight.
Chicago, which is 4-6-0 at home this year, will likely go back to Marty Turco in net tonight. Despite a 1.49 goals-against average in his last seven versus the Coyotes, he is just 2-3-2 in that span with three shutouts, getting credited with one whitewash in a shootout loss.
The Coyotes won their first three games versus the Blackhawks last year, two in a shootout, before the Blackhawks notched a home win in the final meeting on March 23. That victory was Chicago's seventh in the last 10 in this series and fifth in the last six at the United Center.
Bryzgalov is 6-5-3 with a 2.55 GAA in his career versus Chicago.