Phoenix Coyotes lose in spite of goaltender Mike Smith’s heroics, aim to bounce back-NHL News
Goaltender, Mike Smith’s 44 saves in front of net were not enough to help his team, the Phoenix Coyotes, avoid a defeat against the Los Angeles Kings to start their Western Conference Finals campaign with a loss on Monday, May 14.
Coyotes lost the game, 4-2, and their captain, Shane Doan, now hopes for turning around from the very next game to square off the odds.
Starting a game on a dull note is not new for Coyotes as almost all commentators have noted the tendency on part of the team but during most of the previous occasions they managed to pull up victory in the later session. Not this time though.
The captain said:
"We know that as a group, we don't have that one superstar, but as a group we're solid. It's our strength when things go well, and it's our weakness when things go bad. That's fine. I'd rather it be that way. I enjoy playing on this team, I love it. I like
the group of guys. I really think that we'll respond. To a man I think we'll be better."
Apparently, Kings had come into the game well planned, especially being aware of rather lethargic approach of their opponents, very much expected during initial phase of the game.
So, they capitalised on the self-presented opportunity to full extent by putting intensive pressure on relatively inexperienced side that Coyotes had come with on the ice.
Kings were paid off their earlier effort, while their opposition could not redeem their position until the end of the game.
Even though it was just the beginning of the series, which still has six games left, Coyotes will have to give serious thought to their approach of playing in the opening period of a game.
Almost all commentators agree that Coyotes must come out hard on their opposition’s defence from very first minute of the game, which will help their cause in two ways: it will keep their defence away from opposition’s battering and create goal-scoring opportunities
for them.
Tags: