Columbus, OH (My Sportsbook) - The Phoenix Coyotes hope to avoid their first 0-3 start as a franchise in 17 years tonight when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

The Coyote franchise hasn't began a season with three consecutive losses since Dale Hawerchuk and the Winnipeg Jets did so in 1985-86. The club hasn't gone winless in its first three since the Jets were 0-2-1 in 88-89.

Phoenix opened its season with a 4-1 loss in Los Angeles last Wednesday, and followed that up with a 5-2 home defeat to Dallas on Saturday. Against the Stars, Claude Lemieux and Radoslav Suchy scored power-play goals in the second period to give the Coyotes a 2-1 edge, but the Stars put up a four-spot in the third.

Goaltender Sean Burke, a Vezina finalist last season, was beaten four times on 10 shots in the final frame, and finished with 25 saves on the night. Burke has allowed nine goals on 63 shots in two starts.

To make matters worse for Phoenix, defenseman Todd Simpson suffered a broken bone in his right hand during a fight with Dallas' Manny Malhotra and is expected to be sidelined two to three weeks.

Also of note for Phoenix, Tony Amonte, who assisted on both goals Saturday, is still in search of his first goal with his new club. Amonte has taken five shots on net through two games.

Tonight's match is the opener of a five-game road trip for Phoenix, which travels to Ottawa on Tuesday. The trip also includes stops in Toronto, Buffalo and Nashville.

Columbus, meanwhile, plays five of its next six games on home ice and is off to a 1-1 start. Following a 2-1 victory against Chicago on Thursday the Jackets were humbled in New Jersey with a 3-2 loss. Sean Pronger and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre scored in the losing cause, with Grand-Pierre tying things at 2-2 5:02 into the third. But the Devils' Patrik Elias bagged the game-winner with 7:40 remaining, one-timing a shot by goaltender Marc Denis. Denis finished with 20 saves.

Phoenix went 3-1 against Columbus last season, taking the final three meetings. The Coyotes, however, are 1-3 all-time at Nationwide Arena.