GLENDALE, Ariz. — When Game 1 of the Western Conference Final ended,
Phoenix's hopes could be summed up in this quote by NHL commissioner Gary
Bettman.
"To be successful on the ice in this league, every team has to deal with
adversity," Bettman said. "But everyone in this organization seems to
have a master's degree in it."
The Coyotes had overcome obstacles before. They have waited three years for an
owner. They have won despite a lack of stars. They had been dominated for long
stretches against Chicago and Nashville, yet found a way to slip past both of
those clubs in this postseason.
They were adversity experts.
Unfortunately for Phoenix, adversity isn't its opponent in the conference
finals. The Coyotes lost to the visiting Los Angeles Kings 4-0 in Game 2 to
fall behind 2-0 in the best-of-7 series.
One can point to the lack of production from top scorers Radim Vrbata and Ray
Whitney or the missed opportunities early in Game 2 when the Coyotes showed a
much better push than the previous game.
The plain truth is that the Coyotes are facing a superior team with answers for
every wrinkle coach Dave Tippett crafts. The LA Kings may be the best the NHL
has to offer this season.
Tippett juggled three of his four lines on Tuesday in an attempt to provide an
offensive spark. He stuck speedster Mikkel Boedker on his checking line in an
attempt to slow LA's red-hot top line of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Justin
Williams. Tippett even inserted rookie defenseman Michael Stone into the lineup
to replace a gimpy David Schlemko.
It didn't matter. LA weathered Phoenix's early pressure and just kept coming
with that relentless, fast and heavy forecheck that resulted in a Game 2 domination
of the Coyotes.
Dwight King deflected Drew Doughty's point shot past goalie Mike Smith late in
the first period for a 1-0 lead. Jeff Carter buried a feed from Dustin Penner
early in the second period for a 2-0 lead.
As the opportunities dwindled and the Kings kept pounding away, the Coyotes
finally lost their composure, just as the St. Louis Blues had done one round
earlier against the Kings.
Captain Shane Doan boarded Trevor Lewis, drawing a five-minute major, a game
misconduct and perhaps a suspension. Smith slashed Brown, the Kings captain, in
the back of the legs, and Martin Hanzal boarded him to go the way of Doan.
When the final stats were in, Phoenix had racked up 56 penalty minutes and some
ill will from the national audience for its less than gracious display.
"Frustration sets in," goalie Smith said. "It's just discipline
from myself on out. You've got to be disciplined."
Just like that, the most anticipated series in franchise history is circling
the drain, heading back to Los Angeles where the Kings can close it out.
One can take solace in the fact that Phoenix has been a good road team all
season. However, the Coyotes could be playing without two of their best players
if Doan and Hanzal are suspended.
But even when they've had them, they've been no match for the Kings.
"You have to give them credit in how they're playing," Tippett said.
"But I certainly think that we can show better than we are right
now."
