Jeff Hoggan

After setting a franchise record for wins in a month in December, the Phoenix Coyotes have looked nothing like they were last month.

With four games completed in January the Coyotes have given up 17 goals; last month it took the Coyotes nine games to give up 17 goals.

While it might be impossible to top what they did last month, the Coyotes need to wake up before the curse of the second half haunts the them for the second consecutive season.

Part of the blame behind this skid has been injuries.

However, that is a poor excuse.

Despite a 3-2 victory last night, the Phoenix Coyotes lost an important part of their penalty-killing unit.

Forward Daniel Winnik was placed on injured reserve after missing the final twenty minutes in last night’s thriller against the Los Angeles Kings. Winnik was seen after the game with his right arm in a sling.

The loss of Winnik serves as a big loss as the Coyotes are also without center Vernon Fiddler who has missed the last three games due to a lower body injury.