It's a rather simple formula, but the Phoenix Coyotes found out that if you don't allow the opposing team to score goals, you often win the game. Phoenix did just that in their 2-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night.
With two of the league's fastest teams going head-to-head, low scoring isn't exactly what was expected. We got just that, with only one even strength goal coming early in the first, with an empty netter as the only other goal to find its way on the stat sheet.
Jason LaBarbera led the way for the Coyotes. Filling in for Ilya Bryzgalov, LaBarbera posted his second shutout of the season. "Barbzilla" was magnificent all night, stopping all 34 shots the Avs could muster.
Craig Anderson was splendid in his own right for Colorado. Anderson was a Taylor Pyatt shot away from his first shutout of the season. He stopped 32 of 33 Phoenix shots, but the Avs couldn't find the net to support their netminder.
Pyatt's goal came early on for the Coyotes. Midway through the first, Pyatt netted his eighth of the year. That would stand as the only goal until 19:40 in the third, when Pyatt added the empty net goal.
That goal also included an assist from Shane Doan, who extended his scoring streak. The captain's streak now stands at eight games, and his assist gives him 13 points in those eight.
Thursday's game was also a very quiet game on the penalty front. Only one player from each team spent any time in the sin bin. For the Coyotes, it was Martin Hanzal in the second period. Former Coyote Kevin Porter spent two minutes in the box in the third.
Phoenix's win is the first time they've won consecutive games since late November. They'll look to mount a real winning streak when they host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.