With 31 wins and 67 points, the Coyotes have equaled last year's totals, and with 20 games left they are hoping they can put together a winning streak and become a bigger force in the playoff race.

Coach Wayne Gretzky has said that every game from here on out is like a playoff contest, and after eking out one point against Colorado on Friday night, he is desperately hoping the Coyotes pick up two against St. Louis before they head out on a two-game road trip.

Mikael Tellqvist turned in another solid game in goal, and Gretzky said he is considering starting him again Sunday in place of Ilya Bryzgalov, whose performances have been hot and cold.

Gretzky said he went with Tellqvist because he feels he is playing well, "and anytime we can go with a hot guy or a guy who's going well, whether it be a forward, a defenseman or a goaltender, we're going to utilize them."

The key Sunday is coming out strong.

Right wing Shane Doan said the team needs to play the first period how it did in the third against Colorado.

"We were talking about how desperate we have to be, and we came out with a little more desperation," he said. "That's something that as a group we have to make sure that we start that way. We can't afford to just sit and wait."

AVALANCHE 3, COYOTES 2 (SO): The Coyotes salvaged a key point as D Derek Morris' goal with three seconds left sent the game into overtime. The 12-round shootout was the longest in either team's history. The Coyotes' first goal came on a 5-on-3 power play by C Steven Reinprecht in the first period.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.