Western Conference Finals Preview: Coyotes vs. Kings

        Of all of the teams that made the playoffs, nobody would have picked the Los Angeles Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes to make it to the Western Conference Finals; but they did, and it will certainly be a great matchup. Phoenix, the third seed, will have home ice advantage over the eighth seeded Kings. In this post, I will analyze both teams, and in the end, I will predict the winner to play for the Stanley Cup.

Phoenix Coyotes

        This team is the underdog in this series, because of the superb play by the Kings. It's not that the Coyotes are playing well, though. They're actually playing great hockey. They have motivation, led by team captain Shane Doan, who has not won a playoff series in his 16-year career, until this year. This may be his last chance at the Stanley Cup. Goaltender Mike Smith has something to prove as well. His career went on a downward spiral over the past few years, but Coyotes management believed in him enough to sign him and make him their starting goaltender, and that move is a big reason why the Coyotes are in the Western Conference Finals. Smith has been outstanding in the regular season and the playoffs. This team has the edge in motivation. It seems as though everyone is behind the Coyotes, as they are the Cinderella story in these playoffs. 

Los Angeles Kings

          It's impossible to talk about the success that the Kings have had all year long, regular season and post-season, and not talk about goaltender Jonathan Quick. A Vezina Trophy finalist this year, Quick has been the backbone of the Kings over the past few seasons. Quick has stolen games, even when his offensively challenged team has a hard time putting up goals. He finds a way to win hockey games, in fact, he does that really well. Los Angeles captain Dustin Brown was the subject of many trade rumors this spring. I find that statement unbelievable, as he has been a key component in the Kings' playoff run. Brown can produce offensively, hit really hard, and is a great defensive player. He is a complete player. Trading Brown was the best move Los Angeles never made, and that's been a major role in their playoff success.


My Prediction


        I'm picking the Los Angeles Kings in 6, because this is a much deeper team than the Phoenix Coyotes. The Kings have an amazing amount of depth, with guys like Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, and I can go on. Phoenix does not have depth like that, and that will ultimately cost them this series. Both teams, especially the goalies, have been, and will continue to be, awesome to watch. I'm looking forward to a great playoff series between these two teams.