Why Phoenix Coyotes will comeback in Game 4 against Los Angeles Kings -NHL Playoffs Special
Neither Phoenix fans nor the Coyotes could have ever imagined that they would end up on the brink of elimination only after having played three games in the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Finals.
Phoenix Coyotes had a great time eliminating Chicago Blackhawks in six games and advancing to rout Nashville Predators in just five to move on to the Western Conference Finals.
They knew from day 1 that going one up against a team like Los Angeles Kings, that swept St. Louis Blues in all four games, would definitely not be easy, but they never imagined that it would be this tough.
With Game 4 possibly being their last this postseason, Phoenix Coyotes know that they have come too far and need to regroup and take the next matchup against Los Angeles Kings, hopefully to return to Glendale, Arizona, for Game 5.
"We know what we have to do. We have to win the next game," Phoenix captain, Shane Doan, said. "I mean, that's all -- we have to play better and find a way to win the next one. ... We're disappointed we're down 3-0, but this is a pretty resilient group --
got to find a way to win the next game."
Phoenix might have lost Game 3, but it definitely showed hope for the Coyotes club as they managed to show a major improvement in all departments. Despite being without Martin Hanzal, Coyotes limited Los Angeles Kings to nearly half the attempts on Mike
Smith compared to the first two games along with getting some quality shots.
Even Los Angeles Kings agreed that Phoenix was much better in Game 3.
"Phoenix was a lot better tonight, but we found a way to win," Kings’ Dustin Brown said. "That's what it takes this time of year. It's exciting. There's a lot of guys in here that haven't experienced this ... but the thing that's made this work is how we're
handling all this. We're up 3-0 again."
Obviously, Phoenix Coyotes never thought that they would be in a 0-3 hole, but they are known to work hard to get the win and will have to use everything in their heart and soul to get the series back and maybe, just maybe, take the series to a Game 7 decider.
Mike Smith needs to be better, even though the Phoenix offence has not been playing as well as it should be, the goalie needs to be focused. They will also be getting back Martin Hanzal for Game 4 and need to win the next four straight in order to advance
to their first Stanley Cup Final series in franchise history.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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