Phoenix Coyotes aim to rebound against Los Angeles Kings in Game 2 -NHL Playoffs Preview
While Los Angeles is determined to remain undefeated on the road, Phoenix Coyotes aim to get back into the series and down the Kings when it comes to Game 2 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Finals at home.
Losing two straight at home would put Phoenix in the same position Los Angeles put St. Louis Blues, despite them being the second seed in the West, and returning to the STAPLES Center would only make it easier for the Kings to take in a clean four game sweep.
Kings have figured out what all teams throughout history have been looking for and that is playing so perfectly on the road in front of another wild crowd that is constantly cheering against them.
"We're the visiting team. They get the matchups they want," Kings’ coach, Darryl Sutter, said. "When you're not a home team, you don't always get the matchups you want. That's why you need balance on your team."
Changing their strategy is something Phoenix Coyotes must do and probably have figured out by now as they cannot continue playing with the same moves that worked so well against Nashville Predators.
Since Nashville was primarily a defensive team, Coyotes need to realise the fact that Los Angeles has some very strong firepower and tackling that aspect is the first step towards a rebound.
Phoenix head coach, Dave Tippett, expressed confident in his team prior to Game 2 and hopes that it will help get them through.
"You can work hard to get to a place. It's what you do after you get there that matters," Tippett said. "We were around some battles, but once you get yourself into the battle, it's the next step, how are you going to win that battle. For me sometimes it's
about will, sometimes about skill also, having the ability to make something positive happen. We just didn't have enough."
There is no doubt in the fact that Los Angeles Kings have become favourites to win the Stanley Cup with the impressive level of play they have shown thus far in the postseason, but Phoenix Coyotes can always come around and change that.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at 9:00 PM ET in Glendale, Arizona.
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