True to coach Dave Tippett's forecast all season, the race for the final playoff spots in the Western Conference could come down the final game, or perhaps a final shift.
Despite setting a franchise record for consecutive 40 game-winning seasons, the Coyotes, with three games to play, have nothing to show for a creditable season. In fact, the campaign comes down to its three games, and the one directly ahead looms the greatest.
At this point, the Coyotes and L.A. Kings are tied for the fourth spot in conference standings, each with 96 standing points, and each with three games remaining. Yet, the Kings have 45 wins and Phoenix has 42, and if these two clubs end the season in a tie, L.A. gets fourth place in the conference, and home ice in the opening round, by virtue of more victories.
Vancouver has clinched the President's Trophy with most points in the league, and San Jose and Detroit have earned Western Conference playoff spots.
When they lost to Colorado on April 1 in a shootout, the Coyotes clearly lost valuable ground. Sure, they gained a point in the standings, but to many players, a win was clearly at hand.
"We had ...
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Article written by Mark Brown
Phoenix Coyotes Head into Final 3 Games in Search of a Playoff Spot
April 4th, 2011 by Mark Brown Leave a reply »
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