Streaking Ducks offer Coyotes true test of improvement

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Anaheim Ducks dealt Arizona two of the Coyotes' most impactful losses during a dreadful first half of the season. That's a trend the showing-some-improvement Coyotes want to halt Saturday night.

The only problem is, after meeting a succession of teams on losing streaks while they won four in a row and five of seven, the Coyotes now face a team that's surging as the NHL playoff stretch drive nears.

The Ducks, currently third in the Pacific Division with a 31-20-11 record, are the winners of four in a row, seven of 10 and four of their last five on the road as they get the old reliables working at the same time: timely scoring, consistent goaltending and strong defensive play.

Ryan Miller stopped 41 shots during his 42nd NHL shutout as the Ducks beat the Dallas Stars 2-0 on Wednesday night. A night later, the Coyotes (17-33-10) -- still last overall in the NHL but showing signs of improvement -- lost 5-2 at home to the Calgary Flames, who had dropped their previous three.

Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf scored a short-handed goal and added an assist, giving him three points in two games. Left wing Rickard Rakell leads the Ducks with 48 points, while Getzlaf is second with 38, just ahead of center Adam Henrique 37 points.

"We recognize where the season is at," said Miller, who has stopped all 44 shots he's faced in the third period of his last two games. "Our game has been pretty good. We had a couple of tough outings on the road (where the Ducks are 15-11-7) and then we kind of got it together. It's been consistent for the last two weeks. We've built a good game. We have to stick with it."

The Coyotes were trying to stick with what they had going, but coach Rick Tocchet said they came out "sluggish" following a four-day layoff and it showed as they went 0-for-5 on the power play against Calgary.

"You've got to flush this one down and get ready for the weekend," said Coyotes center Derek Stepan, who has two goals and six assists in his last eight games. "That's the good thing about three (games) in four (days), you get to play right away."

This will be the fourth game of a seven-game home stand for the Coyotes, who play the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena on Sunday night. Arizona is 2-1 so far. Miller (8-4) is expected to match up with Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta, who had won four in a row until the Flames opened up a 5-1 lead in winning easily Thursday night.

The Ducks made the Coyotes' season even more painful with the way they won the first two matchups.

Anaheim fell behind Arizona 4-1 in a mutual season opener Oct. 5, only to rally with the final four goals to win 5-4 -- ruining Tocchet's first game as the Coyotes head coach and starting Arizona on an 0-10-1 slide to begin the season. Corey Perry scored two goals and Rakell got the game winner with 3:30 remaining.

On New Year's Eve, the teams were tied 2-2, only to have the Ducks similarly score the final three goals and win 5-2 as Rakell scored twice and currently suspended center Antoine Vermette added a goal and three assists.

The teams also play at Arizona on April 8 in the final game of the regular season for both.