GLENDALE -- The Coyotes did not practice on Thursday so I thought the time was right for a fresh blog to help pass the time before Saturday’s home opener against the Detroit Red Wings at Jobing.com Arena.

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Paul Bissonnette gets into character for a Taco Bell ad. Photo by Norm Hall.

First and foremost, I am hoping all of you are getting pumped to watch the Coyotes take home ice for the first time since Game 7 of the Western Conference quarterfinals last April.I can tell you the players are eager for a rematch with the Red Wings. Clearly the stakes won’t be as high as the last time the teams played in Glendale, but what better way to start the home schedule than with an opportunity for redemption against Detroit.If my words aren’t getting you pumped for Saturday’s game, check out this video . If it doesn’t do the trick, check your pulseI just spent about 90 minutes watching enforcer Paul Bissonnette film a 15-second commercial for Taco Bell that will air at some point this season on Fox Sports Arizona. Bissonnette didn’t speak in the ad but his performance was good nonetheless, especially for someone who had never acted in a commercial before.The plot: Bissonnette is sent to the penalty box - presumably for fighting - and enjoys some tacos while he waits for the five minutes to expire.For the record, the bruise over Bissonnette’s left eye is not makeup for the ad. It’s the result of Bissonnette accidentally getting poked in the eye by a teammate’s stick during Wednesday’s practice.After shooting the ad, Bissonnette signed autographs and posed for pictures with the extras. After that, I asked him if he thought his debut performance would lead to bigger and better roles in Hollywood.“I’m gonna be an action hero,” he said jokingly... Wait, at least I think he was joking.► Forward Scottie Upshall will be a guest on Mix 96.9 (FM) on Friday at 9:10 a.m.► Head Coach Dave Tippett will be a guest on XTRA Sports 910 (AM) on Friday at 3:30 p.m.► To clarify, team practices at Jobing.com Arena will not be open to the public this season.Team practices at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale, however, will be open to the public.This one comes from the Better-Late-Than-Never File...Some time ago I asked readers/Coyotes fans to submit photos of themselves taken in front of famous landmarks around the globe. Well, here's Stephen (left), Kym and Robb in front of Alcatraz in San Francisco.Good stuff - Thanks for the photo!Reach Dave Vest at thedesertdogblog@phoenixcoyotes.com and follow him on twitter @davest4yotes