Sunday, April 13, 9:00 PM on NBCS, FSSW, FSAZ

Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, Arizona

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Friday and Saturday will determine if Sunday's game between Dallas and Phoenix is a winner-take-all battle for the Western Conference #8 seed or a rest day as the Stars prepare for a 1st round playoff matchup.

Heading into Friday night Dallas has a 2 point lead over Phoenix for that final spot. A win by the Stars at home against St. Louis puts them in the playoffs and ends the Coyotes' season. A loss though makes a Saturday night game between San Jose and Phoenix a must have for the Coyotes. Dallas has done a mediocre enough job to earn their spot in the postseason, winning 6 of 10 games from March 24th to April 9th. Considering Phoenix' recent play that may be more than enough for the second wild-card spot.

The Coyotes may want to save themselves some embarrassment from the postseason and simply head to vacation early if their play lately is any indicator of future results. At a time of the year when every game is crucial, Phoenix has gone 0-3-3 in their last 6 and has just 2 wins since March 22nd. Even if the Stars help them out and Phoenix beats San Jose the Coyotes will have the difficult task of winning their most important game of the year on the 2nd end of back-to-back scheduling.

Dallas has beaten the Coyotes in both of their games this season over a 4-game stretch in February. On the 4th the Stars went into Phoenix and beat the Coyotes 3-1 as +120 underdogs. The Coyotes came into Dallas on the 8th and suffered a similar 2-1 loss.

ATS Trends

Dallas is 17-23 straight up on the road this season

Dallas is 20-18-2 against the over/under on the road this season

Phoenix is 21-18 straight up at home this season

Phoenix is 20-16-3 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Dallas

04/11/14 LW Ray Whitney Lower Body questionable
04/09/14 D Aaron Rome Lower Body questionable
04/09/14 D Trevor Daley Head questionable
03/10/14 C Rich Peverley Heart out for season

Phoenix

04/10/14 C Martin Hanzal Lower Body questionable
04/10/14 GO Mike Smith Knee questionable
03/20/14 D David Schlemko Foot out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take Dallas

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