Phoenix Coyotes-Chicago Blackhawks Quarterfinal Series Review -NHL Playoffs Special
Having won the Stanley Cup back in 2010 and being eliminated in 2011 right into the opening round, Chicago Blackhawks were favourites to get back to their winning ways with a healthy and ready-to-go line-up.
When it came to the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Quarterfinals, Phoenix Coyotes showed that they are a much more mature from previous seasons.
Goaltending was the main reason why Phoenix dominated with Mike Smith in front of the net while the defensemen stepped up their game and limited the chances Chicago had throughout the series.
"We kind of threw a 'Rope-a-Dope' at them like Muhammad Ali a little bit, but they were a great team and it was a fun series," said Coyotes defenseman, Keith Yandle. "We battled the whole time and to beat those guys is a huge accomplishment for us."
They were also given a warm welcome when Coyotes returned home as fans had waited for over a decade to see the day Phoenix would advance in a playoff series.
"It's a relief, because you just want to get a chance to do something in the playoffs and make some noise," said captain, Shane Doan. "Everyone always talks about if you get out of the first round anything can happen. Now we've got to find a way to win that
next round and that's really our next goal ... to win four more games. If we do that, we'll regroup again."
The most interesting part about the series was how every single game went into overtime, making history right there. Phoenix gained some new skills in the process as they became one of the best teams to play post-regulation hockey.
Game 1
Chicago and Phoenix basically remained levelled throughout regulation until Martin Hanzal turned out with the game-winner in overtime to take the first match of the series.
Game 2
Phoenix made a great run in round-one of the contest but lost their lead in the second and third period and Chicago made a slow comeback to level the series in overtime as Bryan Bickell made the deciding shot.
Game 3
With the series now in Chicago, playing at the historic United Center was expected to give Blackhawks the boost to take the match over but Phoenix was just numb to the foreign crowd as Coyotes dominated in round-three, forcing an OT with Mikkel Boedker potting
the late game-winner.
It was in this matchup that Raffi Torres struck Marian Hossa of Chicago with a shoulder to the head, giving the former a 25 game suspension and forcing the latter out of the playoffs for good with a concussion after being taken out of the stadium on a stretcher.
Game 4
Game 4 was not any different as Phoenix and Blackhawks fought for dominance in the third period only as Chicago’s late two goals tied the match for yet another overtime decider.
Surprisingly, it was Boedker once again to save the night for Phoenix and take their second straight win at the United Center.
Game 5
Chicago fought hard to stay alive and were rewarded by captain, Jonathan Toews, who himself was making a debut from concussion symptoms, to score the game deciding shot in overtime, forcing Game 6.
Game 6
Mike Smith wanted to end it soon right then and there as he blocked all 39 shots on his net to completely shutout and eliminate the Chicago Blackhawks in a 4-0 contest.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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