SCOTTSDALE -- Shortly before the Coyotes took the ice Tuesday for their final practice before flying to Nashville, word came that the Predators had suspended forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn for Wednesday's Game 3 due to unspecified team rules violations.
Though it's natural to assume their absences will be a blow to Nashville's hopes of overcoming a 2-0 deficit in their Western Conference semifinal series, the Coyotes insist it has no impact on how they will approach Game 3.
"I don't think it really matters who's in the lineup," Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith said. "We can't focus on what's going on over there. We've got to worry about ourselves."
Added forward Antoine Vermette: "I don't think it should affect us too much. They're going to play hard. We know that. They're going to play desperate. So it shouldn't change our approach to the game."
Predators president/general manager David Poile announced the suspensions, saying: "The Nashville Predators have a few simple rules centered around doing the right things. We have always operated with a team-first mentality and philosophy. Violating team rules is not fair to our team and their teammates."
The Coyotes' reaction to the news might be better characterized as a non-reaction, and that could probably have been predicted. They have been undaunted by whatever lineup they've met and remained focused on their own. Still, though they might not say it, the Coyotes certainly grasp the significance of the suspensions.
Radulov leads the Predators in points this postseason with a goal and five assists. He returned from the KHL in Russia in March and tallied seven points in nine regular season games for Nashville. Kostitsyn, who came to Nashville in a trade in February, leads the team in the playoffs with three goals, including one in each of the first two games in Phoenix.
Though the suspensions leave Nashville without two of their top players as they fight to get back in the series, the Coyotes don't believe there will be much dropoff.
"They had a great team before they added those guys," Coyotes captain Shane Doan said. "Obviously, adding those guys was big, but they've got a really good team with or without them."
The absence of two offensive threats should make Smith's job a little easier, though he's not looking at it that way.
"They're in the playoffs, in the second round for a reason," Smith said. "They have good players. Obviously, those two guys are a big part of their team, but depth has carried them through most of the season."
Regardless of who is playing for Nashville, the Coyotes know they'll be facing a desperate team. Compensating for the loss of two key players might even offer a motivational lift for the Predators, but coach Dave Tippett was not into speculating on its effect.
"What their lineup is is inconsequential to us," Tippett said. "We've got to concentrate on the things we have to do to improve our game."
Predators officials spoke to reporters in Nashville about the decision to suspend the players, but gave little insight into what occurred. Radulov hinted that the rules violation might have been related to team curfew and accepted fault, but did not get into details.
"It is what it is and we’re going to move forward on this," captain Shea Weber told The Tennessean. "They asked what we thought, and we’re not in any position to choose. It’s up to them, and we’re just here to play and play a lot better than we have."
Trotz listed Craig Smith, Matt Halischuk and Jordin Tootoo as potential replacements for the suspended players.
