Phoenix Coyotes Goalie Mike Smith gave it all in Game 4 against Los Angeles Kings -NHL Playoffs Update
Coming into Game 4 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Finals down 3-0 was one thing and knowing that this would require everything you had was another and Mike Smith was ready to go all out.
Veteran Coyotes’ goalie, Mike Smith, knew that Game 4 would have to be his best game of the playoffs thus far if he wanted to keep his team going and seeing how the squad let him down yet again, Smith kicked it into fifth gear.
"I knew it had to be my best game of the series. Obviously, we can't afford to lose that game. So it was important to obviously have a good start, get in the game early with some saves. Kind of just rolled from there," Mike Smith said following the game.
"Our guys have hung around the game. That's why we've been successful in the playoffs," Phoenix coach, Dave Tippett, said. "Smith makes big saves when he has to. The rest of our team competes hard in front of him. We give ourselves a chance to win."
Despite being outshot for the third straight game compared to his counterpart in the Los Angeles net, Jonathan Quick, by a 36-21 shot difference, Mike Smith blocked all attempts along with keeping Kings out of the net during six power play opportunities.
Smith was obviously disappointed and frustrated after losing three straight, including the first two at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona, but now, seeing that he can control the Los Angeles Kings if he wants to, Game 5 will definitely be exciting
as they head back home to see another day.
There were a number of instances in the matchup in which Mike Smith had to use every single muscle in his body to stop the puck. From blocking the puck with his hands and then having to kick it out from going beneath him, Mike Smith was more of an acrobat
than a goalie.
Having played all 15 games in the postseason so far, Mike Smith maintains an amazing record of 1.90 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage.
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