Up three games to none in the Western Conference Finals the expectation was the Kings would win game four, putting Phoenix out of their misery and move on to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1993.
The Coyotes however had other plans.
With their backs against the wall Phoenix played their best game of the series as they defeated Los Angeles 2-0.
Leading the way was captain Shane Doan who got the Coyotes on the board with a power play goal in the 1st period.
Doan would come up big again in the 2nd period when his wrist shot would beat Jonathan Quick. The shot happened so fast that nobody was sure Doan actually scored.
After video review it was confirmed that Doan did score and with that Phoenix would have a 2-0 lead. That would be all Mike Smith would need as he turned away all 36 shots he faced.
Now I've been skeptical of Smith all post-season. Looking at his track record as a goaltender you can hardly blame me as he has been less than spectacular in his career.
However Smith has come up big in the playoffs when the Coyotes needed him. In Phoenix's first round series against Chicago, Smith faced a barrage of shots throughout game six but turned away all 39 shots en route to a 4-0 win in the series clinching victory.
In game four against Nashville Smith stopped all 25 shots he faced for his second shut out of the playoffs, a 1-0 win that kept Nashville from gaining any momentum and gave the Coyotes a 3-1 lead in the series. Yesterday with Phoenix facing elimination Smith made 36 saves for his 3rd shutout of the post-season.
All year long I have been waiting for the clock to strike midnight and for Smith to turn back into a pumpkin. I still think it's only a matter of time before that happens but I must give him credit. Whenever the Coyotes have needed Smith to come up big he has for them.
Game five is Tuesday night in Phoenix. Despite the win yesterday I still think the Coyotes are fighting an uphill battle. In game four the Kings forecheck that had suffocated Phoenix during the first three games was non-existing. I don't expect that to be the case in game five.
Another thing to remember is that game five is back in Phoenix. Los Angeles is a perfect 7-0 on the road in the playoffs this year. Darryl Sutter will have his team ready to play tomorrow night and I expect the Kings to wrap up this series in five games.
However if Smith can come up big in net for one more game then doubt starts to creep in and the thought of a comeback isn't so far-fetched.
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