The Phoenix Coyotes gave up two late goals to the Calgary Flames on Sunday and as a result they went from a sure two points to none. It was the second straight game in which the Coyotes lost a lead, and a potential four-point weekend only netted them one point as a result.
Third period goals from Raffi Torres and Nick Johnson gave Phoenix a 4-3 lead nearly halfway through the third period against the Flames, but Jarome Iginla scored to pull things even and Curtis Glencross added a goal 23 seconds later to end the Coyotes’ hopes of salvaging a point. On Saturday the Coyotes built a 2-0 lead on the Edmonton Oilers before giving up a pair of goals and seeing two points turn in to only one as they lost in a shootout.
Goaltender Mike Smith was stellar on Saturday, turning aside 41 shots. He wasn’t as solid Sunday, but was also making his 11th straight start for the team. Phoenix’s defense gives up under three goals per game, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson continues to establish himself as one of the best young talents in the game.
The second-year NHLer is tied for the team lead in scoring with 12 points. Keith Yandle continues to be a rock on the defensive end, but a lack of depth is starting to hurt the team. David Rundblad, Chris Summers, Michael Stone, Rotislav Klesla, David Schlemko and Zbynek Michalek have been mostly unimpressive, and have some of the team’s worst marks in plus-minus.
The Coyotes have still put together an impressive run in February, but have to be kicking themselves for letting points slip away. If they want to move past the Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks in the standings, they need to figure out a way to close out tough games.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL blogger for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JKatje or add him to you network on Google.







