Don't Underestimate the Coyotes

If there's one thing all teams need to learn is that no team should be let down, even if their record doesn't show it.

The Phoenix Coyotes are one of those teams.

The Coyotes are 3-3-3 after a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, the team that they played in the playoffs last season and got all the way to Game 7 before the Wings finally beat them. But this season, it looks like the Coyotes could get the advantage against another team to make it to the second round.

New addition Eric Belanger is making the biggest impact on the team so far with two goals and four assists in the nine games that the Coyotes have played so far. Lee Stempniak is right up there with three goals and two assists, while Scottie Upshall is also right there with three goals and one assist.

Don't think that the Coyotes won't turn the table, but they've already beaten the Red Wings on their own turf and they plan to do some more damage to some big-name teams. Sure, they lost to Montreal and Ottawa before playing Detroit but they've struggled worse on the season than Phoenix.

Their next set of games should make it tough for the Coyotes, however. The Lightning and Predators come to town, then a date in Dallas. They could very easily be 3-5-3 by next Friday, but I'm guessing the Coyotes won't make it easy on their next few opponents.

We should look for a good up-and-coming team in the next few days. The Coyotes will not be a team that has its back against the wall. It will strike hard and fast to get the wins it desperately needs so they can have a shot at the Cup. Look out, NHL. The Coyotes are howling like mad!