Tippett picks fill-in captains
Center Vernon Fiddler showed up for Thursday night's game, and found an 'A' attached to his sweater. He was assuming the role for defenseman Zbynek Michalek, who is injured.
On Saturday, defenseman Adrian Aucoin will also be an assistant captain while Ed Jovanovski recuperates from a lower-body injury.
Coach Dave Tippett explained his choices.
"We're looking for people who are strong in the room, strong voices," he said. "Fiddler is the kind of player who exemplifies how gritty and determined our team wants to play like.
"I think (Saturday), you'll see Adrian Aucoin with one ('A'), just a strong veteran leadership presence there. There are certainly roles to fill, but we have people capable of doing it."
Shane Doan said the absence of key players affects everybody.
"It's not easy to ask guys to come in and fill their roles, but you've got to help out, do everything you can," he said.
• Ilya Bryzgalov, who has a 9-4 record, a 1.81 goals-against average and a league-leading three shutouts, will be in goal tonight.
• The Coyotes reassigned forward Mikkel Boedker to San Antonio. Boedker, 19, appeared in six games this season.
Link