GLENDALE, Ariz – On the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, the LA Kings discovered they were all human after all. On Sunday, the Phoenix Coyotes out-skated and out-hustled the Kings in a 2-0 win that extended the series to game five.
Phoenix head coach Dave Tippett said his team is feeling better about itself after the win.
“Well, our spirits are certainly better when you win a game. Your back’s against the wall still, there’s an awful lot to be accomplished here. We recognize it’s a hard mountain to climb,” Tippett said. “But our guys, we got the first one, we got to come home and, like I say, use the energy of our building, get ourselves in position to take another one. Then we’ll just keep going from there. Nobody’s looking past tomorrow’s game. We have to continue to get better if we’re going to have a chance to get ourselves back in the series.”
“That’s all we’re thinking,” he added.
Tippett credited his first line for their contributions in the game four win that helped the Coyotes avoid being swept from the conference finals.
“I thought they were better last game. I thought that was the best game in the series. I thought that certainly was Ray Whitney’s, he was around some chances,” Tippett explained. “But you’re absolutely right, it’s been a line that has been very strong for us throughout the season. Anything they can do to help chip in would be greatly appreciated.”
The Coyotes came out Sunday with intensity and attitude coupled with desperation. The blueprint for success Sunday may not carry over to Tuesday’s match in the deseret.
“The only thing, I liked the way we were more competitive in some one-on-one battles. We gave ourselves a better chance to win because we won more battles,” Tippett said when asked about the way tonight’s game will follow Sunday’s pattern.
“If we take a step backwards and decide that we’re going to do things soft and easy, it’s probably not going to work out for us. You have to recognize they’re going to come in with the mindset they’re going to battle for their ice and battle to win. If we’re not ready for that challenge, I don’t like our chances,” Tippett continued. “Our players know what we expect, how they have to play if we’re going to be successful. Then after that, it comes down to you got to have some people make some plays, Smith gives us some big saves and gives us a chance to win.”
Keeping his first line intact may be the more telling predictor for the remainder of the series.
“That’s the case right there. You’ve seen them,” Tippett said of his first line offensive unit. “They’ve been at times a dominant line. Throughout the playoffs it started with Vrbata getting hurt early in the playoffs, Hanzal has been nicked up a little bit, then suspension. They just haven’t been able to generate the same kind of chances they did during the regular season.”
“Like I say, I thought that was the best game of the series last night. There were some positive steps. I think there’s some positive things they can build on from there. Hopefully they get better in the next game.”
Game five is set for Glendale tonight where the Coyotes will look to force the series back to Los Angeles later in the week and put a bit more pressure on the Kings than they have felt all post season.
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com
