Defense matters. It's one factor why I like the Coyotes to upset the Blackhawks. Chicago has played five games. All five have gone into overtime.

Arizona is a top-five defensive team. Yet the Coyotes are 1-4 because they've had problems putting the puck in the net. Their latest loss was 2-1 to the Wild at Minnesota on Tuesday. The Coyotes, though, had 32 shots on goal in that loss. They rank fourth in the NHL in shots per goal. So it's just a matter of time before the Coyotes get goals.

I believe that time will come in this game. The Blackhawks have the second-worst defense in the NHL permitting 4.2 goals per game. Corey Crawford is set to make his season debut. Crawford figures to be rusty. He hasn't started in net since last December.

Chicago also hasn't played since Saturday. That's too long to go between games.