Phoenix Coyotes determined to advance early past Chicago Blackhawks in Game 6 -NHL Playoffs Preview
Chicago finally has some things working in their favour but Phoenix Coyotes have plans of moving on early by eliminating Blackhawks in Game 6 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Quarterfinal series.
Blackhawks finally snapped a Phoenix winning streak as Coyotes took both matchups at the United Center in Chicago, forcing a Game 6 competition again in the state of Illinois, but seeing how the series has come up so far, there is not telling what might
happen.
"We're going to go up there and battle," Phoenix coach, Dave Tippett, said. "We need one win to win the series. They came out and played a very good game and I thought we could have done some things a lot better … but it was still a tight, tight game. We're
going up there with the same mind-set and find a way to win one."
Chicago will be looking forward to the return of Andrew Shaw, who was booked for three games after crashing into Phoenix goalie, Mike Smith, while Coyotes were dealt a blow by the league as they suspended Raffi Torres for 25 games due to a hit on Marian
Hossa, leaving him concussed and out.
"This series is far from over and we're not going to give them anything easily. For myself, I just had a feeling that something good was going to happen," Chicago captain, Jonathan Toews, said.
So far, all five games in the series have gone into overtime, meaning that it is always anyone’s game following an intense battle in regulation. If things continue the way they are, Phoenix and Chicago definitely will have an equal chance at taking the win,
which might be safe for the Coyotes but difficult to cope with for Blackhawks.
Taking the win in regulation will be necessary in order to avoid the uncertain overtime extension, but Phoenix’s defensive mechanisms have allowed them to stay strong in every situation thus far.
Marian Hossa will also not be making a comeback and has been ruled out for this series in all. If Chicago can advance, he will most likely return in Game 1 of the Semi-Finals.
Game 6 of the Chicago-Phoenix series is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 23, 2012, at the United Center at 9:00 PM ET.
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