Coyotes host Caps seeking to extend win streak

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Arizona Coyotes will aim for a third straight win and try to move over the .500 mark on home ice when they host the Washington Capitals in Tuesday's battle at Gila River Arena.

Arizona recently won the final two tests of a three-game road trip, slamming the Vancouver Canucks 5-0 on Friday before notching Sunday's 2-1 win in Edmonton.

The Coyotes, however, have lost two straight on home ice to drop their record as the hosts to 4-4-0. Arizona will be in the desert for just one game before heading back on the road for another three-game swing, one that is set to begin Thursday in Dallas.

Brandon Gormley scored his first NHL goal and Devan Dubnyk impressed in his return to Rexall Place to help the Coyotes edge the Oilers on Sunday. Gormley, a first-round pick (13th overall) by the Coyotes in 2010, is questionable for tonight's test after suffering an undisclosed injury on his memorable night.

Dubnyk, who spent the majority of the past five seasons in an Edmonton jersey, turned aside 33 shots to beat his former team. The Arizona netminder was coming off a 35-save performance in the shutout win against Vancouver.

"I tried not to think about it too much and tried to build off of my last game and things I did well. That helped take away from the situation," Dubnyk said.

Mikkel Boedker provided a goal for the Coyotes, who had lost three straight prior to Friday's win.

The Coyotes can match their season-high winning streak with another victory tonight. Arizona won three straight for the first time this season from Nov. 2-7.

Washington has lost two straight on the heels of a season-best three-game winning streak and was dealt a 4-1 loss by St. Louis on Sunday in the first of three straight on the road.

After being shut out 1-0 by visiting New Jersey on Friday, the Capitals scored only one goal against Blues goaltender Brian Elliott, who made 24 saves for the win. Joel Ward scored the lone goal of the weekend for Washington, while Justin Peters made 30 saves in a losing effort.

Washington had no problem scoring goals when it hosted the Coyotes earlier this season, but the Caps still failed to earn a point from that meeting on Nov. 2, losing 6-5 score in regulation. Shane Doan had two goals and assist to lead Arizona and Antoine Vermette added a goal and two helpers in the win. Dubnyk stopped 32-of-37 shots for the victory.

Alex Ovechkin had a goal and three assists in the loss to the Coyotes and fired seven shots on net.

The Coyotes have won three of the last five meetings against Washington overall and have claimed three straight in the desert.