Vrbata Blanked Again As Coyotes Lose At Home: Radim Vrbata was held off the scoresheet for the fourth time in five playoff games as the Coyotes lost in overtime to the Blackhawks, 2-1 on Saturday. (Updated 04/22/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/27/12).
Fantasy Analysis
In fairness, he only skated one shift in Game 1 because of an injury, so it's really more like four games. But the Phoenix faithful are sitting on their hands, waiting for him to show the kind of offense that he displayed during the regular season. One key is his shots on goal; except for a seven-shot outburst in Game 2, he has only four shots in the series. We suspect that the coaching staff will urge him to fire away and look for good things to happen. (Updated 04/22/2012).
04/11/2012 10:34 Neutral Zone Wrap: Preparing for playoff pools
If you're in a Fantasy Hockey playoff pool, Evan Berofsky has some advice for you in his latest edition of Neutral Zone Wrap.
04/10/2012 15:16 Playoff preview: (3) Phoenix vs. (6) Chicago
The Coyotes won the series season, taking three of four games against the Blackhawks, but what does that mean for the playoffs?
04/09/2012 16:32 Playoff Special: Postseason power play projections
The NHL is transitioning into postseason mode and if your Fantasy league is headed in that direction, Mark McLarney says you need to watch those power plays.
04/07/2012 22:40 Coyotes claim first division crown
Taylor Pyatt scored two goals and Mike Smith made 23 saves to help the Phoenix Coyotes clinch the first division championship in franchise history with a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night
04/06/2012 22:27 Coyotes beat Blues, take lead in Pacific
Mike Smith made 31 saves in another stingy start, helping the Phoenix Coyotes take the Pacific Division lead with a 4-1 victory over the suddenly beatable St. Louis Blues on Friday.
Vrbata had a solid 2010-11 campaign and was rewarded by Phoenix with a three-year, $9 million payday in July. The winger tallied 48 points (19 G, 29 A) through 79 games. Perhaps most important to the Coyotes was Vrbata's 10 power-play scores, an area which the desert dogs struggled in for much of the season. Vrbata will continue to be called on to provide a scoring weapon for the Coyotes and a 20-goal, 30-assist season should be within reach. (Updated 10/4/11)
