It doesn't seem like very often that the Phoenix Coyotes have been able to rise to the occasion this season. In need of a win, and hosting the Colorado Avalanche, the Coyotes did just that, beating the squad from the Mile High City by a 3-0 count.
It was the second consecutive shutout for Ilya Bryzgalov and the Coyotes, after they defeated the Minnesota Wild 1-0 on Saturday.
With the shutout, Bryz becomes the first goaltender since current Philadelphia Flyer Brian Boucher to post consecutive shutouts in a Coyotes sweater.
Offensively for the Yotes, it didn't take much to send the Avs to their fourth consecutive loss. Phoenix tallied a goal in each period, with Radim Vrbata netting the first. That first goal was the product of solid puck movement, with Ray Whitney finding Martin Hanzal, who sent it to Vrbata for his first of two goals.
Scottie Upshall netted the second for Phoenix, off of the rebound of a Kyle Turris shot. Vrbata's second goal of the game, on the power play, midway through the third proved to be the backbreaker for Colorado.
The Avalanche failed to see many chances against the defensively sound Coyotes. After failing to find defensive chemistry, Phoenix has pieced together a pair of stunning defensive performances, helping Ilya Bryzgalov to reach these consecutive shutouts.
The normally offensively charged Avs found themselves unable to do almost anything on Monday night. They went 0-for-4 on the power play, while mustering up just 26 shots on goal. Even with those shots, not many stood a chance of finding their way past Bryzgalov.
As the significance of every game continues to grow, the Coyotes grabbed a crucial two points on Monday night. With the win, the Coyotes jump up from seventh to fifth, even with the fourth place Nashville Predators with 63 points.
Phoenix's next three contests could prove to be the most important of their season. They'll make a quick trip to Dallas to face the Stars, before returning home for a pair of contests against the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks and the high powered Washington Capitals.