Phoenix Coyotes depending on Mike Smith heading into Western Conference Finals -NHL Playoffs Update
Phoenix Coyotes might be a well rounded team in every aspect of their game and they certainly do know how to make another club work for their money but heading into a series against a team like Los Angeles Kings, they will need their goalie, Mike Smith,
to continue working that magic.
Mike Smith has wowed every spectator that has seen hockey during the past few months as blocks shots from every possible angle, making it look like he is not even thinking when doing it.
Coyotes are and will definitely be depending on the goalie to continue playing that way as Los Angeles Kings also have Jonathan Quick leading them.
"Smitty was unbelievable in the net," forward Radim Vrbata said. "It was a big effort by everybody, but Smitty was a huge part of it."
The 30-year-old has certainly had a breakthrough 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season as he played a career high of 67 games and amazingly won 38 of them with 18 losses, 10 overtime deciders and eight shootouts while maintaining a .914 save
percentage and 2.56 goals-against average.
He got only better in the playoffs by starting all 11 matchups to date for Coyotes and a .949 save percentage and even more surprising 1.66 goals-against average.
“We made it interesting in the end, but when you have Mike Smith in there you feel somewhat comfortable by the end,” Phoenix’s Ray Whitney said. “We’ve had contributions from key people at key times, that’s what you’re going to need.”
Smith nearly got a goal in the process as well when he flicked the puck with less than 10 seconds remaining in the final period of the Nashville Predators elimination game but missed the empty net by an inch.
"I just said, 'Why'd you miss the net Smitty?'" Phoenix head coach, Dave Tippett, joked. "We tell our (defense) to hit the net all the time. You have to hit the net."
Smith has been playing like a hockey God for the Phoenix Coyotes and the team will need the same level of commitment and dedication for the goalie at all levels come Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
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