Phoenix Coyotes avoid eliminated with 2-0 Los Angeles Kings shutout -NHL Playoffs Update
Phoenix and Los Angeles never thought it would happen but Coyotes rebounded in an extremely surprising way by shutting out Kings, 2-0, avoiding elimination and forcing a Game 5 competition back at home in the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup
Western Conference Playoff Finals.
Sunday night, May 20, 2012, was bound to be elimination night for the Coyotes as Kings were focused on taking the competition out of the series and moving on in front of the home crowd at the sold-out STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
Playing physical was the only way Phoenix won as they still have up six power play advantages to Los Angeles Kings but the home to team failed to capitalise on any one while Mike Smith was outshot yet again 36-21 compared to counterpart, Jonathan Quick.
"I think tonight was more about the Phoenix Coyotes playing a good game," Kings captain, Dustin Brown, said. "They sat back and they are opportunistic and that's how they've done it all year. They've been a resilient group all year and they showed that tonight.
They executed really well and that's the bottom line."
Now that Phoenix certainly did not find an unusual way to defeat Los Angeles, they will have to continue working the magic and ensure the Kings shutdown.
"Two ways to look at it: they're either due to lose or we got to find a way to stop them," Phoenix captain, Shane Doan, said. "Law of averages says you're going to lose eventually on the road. So it happens. Next game would be a bad one [for Los Angeles]
to lose."
Shane Doan kicked off the scoring with his fourth of the postseason on a power play opportunity with Justin Williams out for goalkeeper interference.
He got the second as well heading into round-two at the 11:10 mark to secure the match as Mike Smith was just too hot for Los Angeles to handle in the net.
Beating a team that was 7-1 in their last eight matchups was obviously better than being eliminated in just four games. Game 5 on Tuesday, May 22 will definitely be exciting to see if Phoenix can continue the streak and see to live another day.
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