Coyotes Vs. Predators, Game 1: Phoenix Wins In Overtime, 4-3

Coyotes Vs. Predators, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Ray Whitney Goal Wins It For Phoenix, 4-3

A late power-play goal by Martin Erat tied the game between the Phoenix Coyotes and Nashville Predators at 3-3 and ultimately forced the game into overtime. In sudden death overtime, the two teams played it tight, but the Coyotes were able to sneak away with a victory and take the early lead in the series 1-0.

The Coyotes' Ray Whitney picked up the game-winning goal with just over five minutes left in the overtime period, assisted by Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes won the face off deep in Preds territory, and Whitney just happened to be at the right spot to nearly immediately punch in the game winner.

As you can see by the reaction of winger Sergei Kostitsyn, the Predators are not happy with the loss and going down 1-0 early in the seven game series.

We have full coverage of Game 1 between the Coyotes and Predators in our StoryStream. For the Nashville perspective, check in with Predators blog On the Forecheck, and for the Phoenix perspective, check in with Coyotes blog Five For Howling.

Coyotes Vs. Predators, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Martin Erat Power Play Goal Sends Game Into Overtime

The Phoenix Coyotes entered the third period with a 3-2 lead over the Nashville Predators, but couldn't get out of the final period without giving up a goal to the Preds. Martin Erat picked up a power-play goal late in the third period assisted by Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Suter to tie the game up at 3-3.

The Predators picked up the power play thanks to a Boyd Gordon holding penalty, as Gordon held Erat's stick. The Preds finally got another puck into the net, struggling to score despite out-shooting the Coyotes 33-18 in the game through the first three periods. With Erat's power play goal, we will now go into overtime for the first game of the seven game series.

We have full coverage of Game 1 between the Coyotes and Predators in our StoryStream. For the Nashville perspective, check in with Predators blog On the Forecheck, and for the Phoenix perspective, check in with Coyotes blog Five For Howling.

Predators Vs. Coyotes, Game 1 Score: Brandon Yip, Radim Vrbata Have Game Tied, 1-1

Radim Vrbata gave the Phoenix Coyotes a 1-0 lead with a power play goal at the 7:23 mark of the first period, but an awkward bounce about seven minutes later gave the home team quite the disadvantage in Game 1 of this Western Conference Semifinal series.

The puck was whipped into the Phoenix end and goaltender Mike Smith came out of his net to play it behind the net, but it never found its way there. It took a funny hop off the glass and back out in front of the net, and when Brandon Yip put it on goal, Smith failed to recover in time. Yip's goal came at the 14:09 mark of the period, and it tied the score at 1-1.

We have full coverage of Game 1 between the Coyotes and Predators in our StoryStream. For the Nashville perspective, check in with Predators blog On the Forecheck, and for the Phoenix perspective, check in with Coyotes blog Five For Howling.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Coyotes Vs. Predators Game 1: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

The Phoenix Coyotes and Nashville Predators face-off in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Friday at 9 p.m. ET.