Usually you can bank on any Dave Tippett coached team to make the playoffs as any team he has coached has only missed the playoffs once in his tenured NHL career. But last year marked just the second time in his 10-year coaching career, and first as Head Coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, that a Tippett-led team missed the playoffs, but we can put an asterisk on that dubious achievement as it occurred in a Lockout shortened season.  The Coyotes only made one change from last season by bringing in free-agent Mike Ribeiro and trading Steve Sullivan to the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline.  Will the somewhat status quo bring the team back to the playoffs? Goalies Mike Smith had a rough start as he let in 10 goals in his first 2 games but quickly righted the ship s he went 7-4-2 in his next 13 games with a 2.47 GAA And .915 SP. A mediocre March pushed the Coyotes back in the tight playoff race, one from which they did not recover.  Any team coached by Tippett means that the goaltending is sure to be solid so you should expect a return to his 2011-2012 form when he posted a 38-18-10 record with a 2.21 GAA and .938 SP.  Former San Jose Shark Thomas Greiss was brought in to replace the departed Jason LaBarbera.  Greiss brings good numbers with him and should spell Smith on a regular basis as the team will have complete confidence in their backup net minder. Defense When your leading scorer on the team is a defenseman, you know that there is a deficiency of scoring from your forwards. Granted Keith Yandle is very talented, but he is no Bobby Orr.  Yandle finished ahead of RW Radim Vrbata by only 2 points, but Vrbata missed 14 games due to injury. Expect Yandle to compete for the team scoring lead again.  We expected Oliver Ekman-Larsson (OEL) to breakout last season, but young d-men sometimes take a little longer to develop. He definitely has the talent, but may not get the opportunities as long as Yandle is around.  Derek Morris, Rostislav Klesla and Zbynek Michalek round out the defensive corps while Adrian Aucoin skipped town.  The depth on the blue line fit into Tippett's style and is a huge benefit for the goaltenders. Forwards As mentioned above, the forwards aren't the most prolific in scoring, which is essential for a competing fantasy hockey team. Vrbata should lead the team in scoring among forwards, especially now that Ribeiro has joined the club.  Don't expect Ribeiro to light up the score sheet like he did with the Capitals, these two teams play ...

Sullivan goes from the top line to a healthy scratch.

Sullivan is a 38-year-old forward who was drafted by the Devils in 1994, returns to New Jersey 19 years later. He has 50 games of playoff experience. He has five goals and seven assists in 33 games this season.

INJURIES GALORE: Joffrey Lupul, who recently signed a 5-year extension, suffered a broken forearm in last night's contest...Mike Smith left last night's game with an LBI-lower body injury...Steve Downie underwent season-ending surgery...HATS OFF: Marian Gaborik and Steve Sullivan got their first goals of the season in grand fashion...hat tricks! Nikolai Kulemin had the assist hat trick while team mate James van Riemsdyk had 2 goals and an assist in their game against the Penguins...FINALLY! It took three games but Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby potted their first goals of the season...HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!read more

***FREE AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS*** Just in.. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.Com. reports that MINNESOTA HAS LANDED ZACH PARISE AND RYAN SUTER. More details to follow.. Veteran forward Steve Sullivan has signed a one-year deal worth $1.85 million with the Phoenix Coyotes. At the age of 37, the diminutive winger has seen better days and should have minimal fantasy value in the Desert. He played the point on the top power play unit for the high-octane Penguins most of last season, and still could not surpass 50 points. Not good.. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS!

Sullivan won't miss any time in the postseason. He scored 17 goals and 48 points in 79 games.

Sullivan won't play today. He scored 17 goals and 48 points in 79 games.

Sullivan remains questionable to play tonight. He scored 17 goals and 48 points in 79 games.

Sullivan won't play tonight. He scored 17 goals and 48 points in 79 games.

ADD'EM-waiver wire pickups <p> Players who possibly can help your fantasy team this week.</p> plus sign 3.jpg OFF THE WAIVER WIRE: ADD'EM APRIL 2, 2012 1. STEVE SULLIVAN RW, LW PITTSBURGH (32.2% owned) To be honest, I had totally written Sullivan off, but nine points in his last seven games cannot be ignored, especially when your linemate is Sidney Crosby. This is about the time when the experienced vets pick up their game just in time for the playoffs. See Daniel Alfredsson in Ottawa, who was alarmingly quiet until he erupted last week. I just have a feeling Sullivan will end the season on a high note. Take a chance on him if you need help on offense. 2. RYAN MALONE LW, TAMPA BAY (60% owned) read more