The Phoenix Coyotes came into Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche in desperate need of a win after going 0-2-1 on their three game road trip and would capture the win in spectacular fashion, downing the Colorado Avalanche 6-1. Two goals each from Boyd Gordon and Shane Doan would propel the offense to their best performance of the season.
Mike Smith was in net for the Coyotes Monday and recorded his 17th win of the season. Smith would stop 38 shots against the Avalanche and has now stopped 167 out of 173 shots in his last five games.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere was expected to be in net for the Avalanche, but Semyon Varlamov would get the start instead. Varlamov would let in six goals on 33 shots.
Gilbert Brule has been with the Coyotes less than a week and is already making contributions. Brule got the scoring started for the Coyotes on the power play early in the first period and would tally an assist on the final goal of the game with a pass to Rostislav Klesla.
The other four Coyote goals would come from Shane Doan and Boyd Gordon. Doan would score his first when all-star defenseman Keith Yandle found him wide open behind the defense and managed to put it past Varlamov on the breakaway for his 13th of the season. Doan would get his second goal on a tip in on a Chris Summers shot from the point. The goal gave Doan his 14th of the season and Summers his first NHL point. Doan now has five goals in his last two games at Jobing.com Arena.
Boyd Gordon's two goals in the second and third periods would round out the scoring the Coyotes. Gordon's second goal gives him 100 points for his career.
The Coyotes will play eight out of their next ten games at home and they know that it is an important stretch to get back into the thick of the playoff race. "This is going to be a big part of our season and we have to find ways to take care of home ice and find ways to win," said Doan
The Coyotes play the Anaheim Ducks Wednesday. The game will be available on Fox Sports Arizona and the puck drops at 8 p.m.