SBNation.com - Phoenix Coyotes Vs. Chicago Blackhawks, NHL Playoffs 2012: Complete Series Coverage

Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, Game 6: Smith, Game Plan Keys To Phoenix's First Series Win

2012-04-24T13:01:28Z

It was a long time coming. For the first time since moving to Phoenix in 1996, there is finally some postseason celebrating in the desert.

By virtue of their convincing 4-0 triumph at the United Center Monday night, the franchise won its first playoff series since 1987, when it was playing under its previous name as the former Winnipeg Jets (not to be confused with the current incarnation). By stopping all 39 shots he faced, Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith put an exclamation point as to his effect on his first playoff series with the Coyotes.

In helping to oust the Chicago Blackhawks in six tight games -- the first five of which required overtime -- Smith recorded incredible numbers against the 'Hawks. He posted a 1.81 goals-against average, stopped 229 of 241 Chicago shots during the series for a ridiculous .950 save percentage, and got a shutout.

Smith established his stellar play when he faced 95 shots in the first two games of the series, and Phoenix came away with a split. The goalie didn't see any fewer than 32 shots on goal in any of the six contests, and averaged more than 40 per night.

He totally outplayed Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford, who allowed weak goals to Mikkel Boedker in pivotal overtimes in Games 3 and 4.

While Smith's presence was huge to the ultimate outcome, Phoenix followed a very familiar Dave Tippett formula in each game. Tireless checking, protecting its own net, and waiting for an opportunity for a counter-attack strike. In Game 6, it was never more evident. Although being outshot by a 22-4 count at the midway point of regulation, Smith's rock-steady net minding kept the game scoreless.

When Jonathan Toews was called for an interference minor with 7:38 remaining in the second period, Oliver Ekman-Larsson's blue-line blast made its way through a screen in front and past Crawford to give the Coyotes the only goal they would need.

Opportunistic.

Phoenix now moves on to play the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference Semifinals, unfamiliar territory outside the first round for the 'Yotes.

With Smith taking on Preds goalie Pekka Rinne, goals could be something of a rarity during the series. Phoenix will bring an all-time high level of confidence, having won its first playoff round, thanks to Smith.

ANIMATED: Pint-Sized Coyotes Fan Reactions Are The Best Reactions

2012-04-22T02:42:04Z

Note to camera people covering the NHL playoffs: show more indignant children!

When Viktor Stalberg brought his stick up to Adrian Aucoin's face in the first period, the youngster in the first row stole the show with his expressive reaction.

Let's freeze-frame that kid.

In this moment, a fan for life (or until the Coyotes are eventually poached by Some Major Canadian Entrepreneur) was born.

For all news and information regarding the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, please visit SB Nation's dedicated NHL hub. For more from the Phoenix perspective, head over to the Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey and SB Nation Chicago.

Raffi Torres Suspended, Termed Repeat Offender By NHL

2012-04-21T17:14:02Z

Phoenix Coyotes winger Raffi Torres has been suspended 25 games for his hit on Marian Hossa and will miss the rest of the NHL playoffs and some of the 2012 NHL season. One of the focal points in the length of Torres' suspension was the fact that he violated three separate rules with the hit, as well as being deemed a "repeat offender" by the NHL's new CBA.

Over the past 13 months Torres has been suspended by the NHL twice for flagrant hits.

In January, Torres was suspended for leaving his feet to check Minnesota Wild defenseman Nate Prosser, a hit similar to the one Torres landed on Hossa in Thursday night's game. NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan gave Torres a two-game suspension for the Prosser hit. Torres left his feet at Prosser on the same day that he was fined $2,500 for elbowing Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda a few games earlier.

Torres was also suspended for four games in April 2011 for a hit on Edmonton Oilers' Jordan Eberle. In the NHL Playoffs that season Torres knocked Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook out of the game with a hard hit behind the net. Torres wasn't suspended then because that type of hit wasn't illegal under the head shot rule at the time.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Coyotes vs. Blackhawks series coverage. For more from the Phoenix perspective, head over to the Five For Howling. For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Blackhawks Vs. Coyotes Game 4: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

2012-04-19T14:01:16Z

None of Andrew Shaw, Raffi Torres or Marian Hossa will take the ice for their respective teams in Game 4 of a series that started out as the least rough and dirty of all of the NHL's playoff series. Between Shaw's shot to the head of Mike Smith and Torres' huge hit on Hossa, the Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks might get into a little bit more of the chippy stuff that has defined other playoff series.

Torres has been suspended indefinitely for his huge hit on Hossa, which caused the Blackhawks' winger to be briefly hospitalized. Shaw will be serving the second game of his three-game suspension in Game 4 on Thursday.

Though Game 3 will be best remembered for the hit, it was certainly an interesting hockey game independent of that and it could have been a turning point in the series. Chicago took the lead on two separate occasions, had more shots than Phoenix and won the faceoff battle, but let their opponents back into the game twice on their home ice. In overtime, Mikkel Boedker got a bit of a lucky break with his five-hole goal, and the Blackhawks now need a win to even the series and split at home.

No. 3 Phoenix Coyotes at No. 6 Chicago Blackhawks
8 p.m. ET Thursday -- Game 4, Western Conference Quarterfinals | Coyotes Lead 2-1
National TV: TSN, CNBC, RDS2 | Local TV: Fox Sports Arizona Plus, CSN Chicago

For more on the Coyotes, check in with Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Blackhawks, head over to Second City Hockey and SB Nation Chicago.

NHL Playoff Schedule 2012: Game 4s Dominate Thursday Slate

2012-04-19T12:01:12Z

Four Game 4s dot the Thursday night schedule in the 2012 NHL Playoffs. And the early window will be crowded, with pucks dropping in three cities within an hour of each other.

The earliest game of the night takes place in the Meadowlands: the Florida Panthers will look to continue the momentum of its comeback victory in Game 3 and take a 3-1 advantage on the New Jersey Devils in a game beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern. The other Eastern Conference game of the night follows in short order, at 7:30 p.m., with the Washington Capitals trying to even the series to a 2-2 tie in a home game against the Boston Bruins.

Out west, the Phoenix Coyotes can get a 3-1 lead on the Chicago Blackhawks by sweeping two road games in the Windy City if they win their 8 p.m. tussle. And the nightcap, at 10:30 p.m., features the St. Louis Blues looking to push the San Jose Sharks to the brink of elimination.

No. 3 Florida Panthers at No. 6 New Jersey Devils
7 p.m. ET -- Game 4, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals | Panthers lead, 2-1
National TV: NHL Network US, TSN2, RDSI | Local TV: FS Florida, MSG+

No. 2 Boston Bruins at No. 7 Washington Capitals
7:30 p.m. ET -- Game 4, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals | Bruins lead, 2-1
National TV: NBC Sports Network, CBC, RDS | Local TV: CSN Massachusetts, NESN

No. 3 Phoenix Coyotes at No. 6 Chicago Blackhawks
8 p.m. ET -- Game 4, Western Conference Quarterfinals | Coyotes lead, 2-1
National TV: CNBC, TSN, RDS2 | Local TV: FS Arizona+, CSN Chicago

No. 2 St. Louis Blues at No. 7 San Jose Sharks
10:30 p.m. ET -- Game 4, Western Conference Quarterfinals | Blues lead, 2-1
National TV: NBC Sports Network, TSN, RDS | Local TV: FS Midwest, CSN California

For complete coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, stick with SB Nation's NHL hub. You can find team-by-team coverage from our network of hockey blogs.

Marian Hossa Injury: Blackhawks Forward Ruled Out For Game 4 Vs. Coyotes

2012-04-18T18:37:09Z

Marian Hossa will miss Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal against the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night at United Center. Hossa was injured in the first period of Game 3 on a brutal hit by Coyotes forward Raffi Torres. He was taken to the hospital and released on Tuesday night, but his injuries will keep him out of action for at least a game.

Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, saying that there's "no change" in Hossa's status. He remains at home recovering from his injuries, and no, the Blackhawks haven't spoken publicly about what exactly those injuries are outside of "upper body."

Torres, meanwhile, will miss Game 4 as well. He could miss much more time after being suspended indefinitely by the league for the hit, but that will be decided at an in-person hearing on Friday in New York City.

Raffi Torres Suspended Indefinitely Pending NHL Hearing For Marian Hossa Hit

2012-04-18T17:34:32Z

Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has been suspended indefinitely pending an NHL hearing on Friday for his vicious hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa during Tuesday night's Western Conference Quarterfinal Game 3. Torres will travel to the NHL's office in Manhattan for the in-person hearing, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday but delayed at the request of the NHL Players Association.

The timing of Friday's hearing means Torres will certainly miss Thursday's Game 4 at United Center, but it's likely he misses more. When holding in-person hearings -- as opposed to the over-the-phone variety -- the NHL reserves the right to suspend a player for five games or more, which is certainly possible in this instance. Torres can waive the right to an in-person hearing, but given the NHLPA's delay, it seems as though he'll be making the trip to meet with Brendan Shanahan and the Department of Player Safety.

Video: Raffi Torres' hit on Marian Hossa

Hossa was hospitalized following the hit, which occurred during the first period. It was a late hit in which Torres targeted Hossa's head while leaving his feet -- the illegal trifecta, one might say.

Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, Game 3: Mike Smith, Coyotes Working Overtime In Search Of First Series Win

2012-04-18T14:27:20Z

As the search for their first playoff series win since moving to the Arizona desert in 1996 continues, the Phoenix Coyotes have had to work overtime to get the upper hand in their first round battle with the Chicago Blackhawks. For just the fifth time in NHL history, the first three games of a series needed overtime to decide a winner when the teams headed to another extra frame Tuesday night.

When Mikkel Boedker scored on a bad angle shot that beat 'Hawks netminder Corey Crawford 13:15 into overtime, it marked the second time in the series that Phoenix had found a way to pull out the victory.

While the first two were knotted up late in regulation -- Game 1 by Brent Seabrook with just under 15 seconds remaining, and Game 2 by Patrick Sharp with 5.5 seconds left -- Game 3 ended up in extra time in much different fashion, with three goals (two by the Coyotes) in a 1:05 span midway though the third to end regulation in a 2-2 deadlock.

Goaltender Mike Smith continues to be the story for Phoenix. The netminder was listed as questionable late in the afternoon as to whether he would even be able to suit up at game time, after taking a hit under the chin behind the net from Blackhawk Andrew Shaw while playing a puck Saturday night. Shaw was slapped with a three-game suspension for the action.

Smith stopped 35 of the 37 Chicago shots he faced, and has now made 124 saves on the 132 Blackhawks shots for an impressive .939 save percentage in the series.

On Tuesday, Smith was at his best over the course of the final two periods of regulation and the overtime, when Phoenix was outshot by a 27-18.

The Blackhawks did get a wake up call midway through the opening period when Raffi Torres -- who had knocked Seabrook out in the first round meeting with the Vancouver Canucks last year, and is no stranger to controversy or suspension -- struck with a dirty hit. As Marian Hossa skated through center ice, he lost the puck. Play moved away from the area, but Torres drilled the 'Hawks star forward, it typical Torres-style. He left his skates and drove his shoulder up through Hossa's head, knocking the Blackhawk out cold. Hossa had to be removed from the ice on a stretcher, and incredibly, there was no penalty called on Torres.

The irony of the situation was that NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan was waiting to hand down his ruling for several other players for infractions over the weekend, one of which was a similar hit from Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal on Philadelphia Flyers rookie Sean Couturier.

Torres is a repeat offender and would seem could be used as a sacrificial lamb for Shanahan to try and regain some of the respect and credibility he has lost in reaching his decisions on the other suspensions. He's not a player with star power, and his past transgressions will more than likely be used to determine a repeated pattern of conduct.

But this series has been about which club can perform during overtime, and though Chicago -- which was in its fifth consecutive postseason overtime contest -- outshot Phoenix in the extra session by a 6-2 count, Smith outplayed Crawford when it counted most as he held his team in the game until Boedker made his chance count.