(My Sportsbook) - Phoenix netminder Sean Burke went down with an ankle injury in the first period of his team's 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators Tuesday.

"I really won't know how bad it is until [today]," Burke said after the game, "Right now, it's sore, and there's some swelling. Those aren't good signs, but I am walking around, and I have a history of being able to recover quickly."

Burke was injured when he twisted around to block a shot by Karlis Skrastins that wound up hitting the left post.

"I don't know if it's sprained, but I know it's not broken," Burke said. "I just got caught in an awkward position and I couldn't recover. My skate was stuck in the ice. I was caught in a rut and there was not much I could do."

Have no fear, though, Coyote fans. Brian Boucher stepped in and was sensational in stopping 26 shots and was named the game's top star.

"That's why we got him," Coyotes coach Bob Francis said. "That's why he's here. Management made a great decision in acquiring this guy."

Boucher, who entered at 9:06 of the first period, allowed his only goal to former Philadelphia teammate Andy Delmore when the blade of his goalie stick got stuck under his knee.

"I'd have to look at it," Boucher said, "but I'm pretty sure that's what happened. I know Andy, and I know he's got a great shot and certainly he put it in a great spot, but I saw it and I think I could have had that one."

The Coyotes have complete faith in their new netminder.

"He's very, very capable," said right wing Shane Doan, who gave Phoenix a 1-0 lead just 93 seconds after Burke's injury. "He's got a great track record with what he's done in Philly and the playoffs, and we've got a lot of confidence in him."

The 25-year-old Boucher, obtained in the offseason from Philadelphia along with a third-round pick for Michal Handzus and Robert Esche, will be backed up by rookie Patrick DesRochers, who will be recalled from Springfield of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.

WHAT'S AHEAD

Phoenix will try and push its winning streak to three games on Thursday when it opens a brief two-game homestand against the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota will also pay a visit to America West Arena.