Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Coyotes won a playoff series for the first
time since coming to Phoenix thanks to Monday's 4-0 win over the Chicago
Blackhawks in a Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Since relocating to Phoenix from Winnipeg prior to the start of the 1996-97
season, the Coyotes have made the playoffs seven times, but this is the first
time they've advanced. In all, the franchise had lost 10 straight opening-
round matchups after the lone win in 1987 against Calgary.
Next up in the semifinal round for the Coyotes will be Nashville, which
defeated the Red Wings in five games to advance. Phoenix will have home-ice
advantage in the series thanks to winning the Pacific Division while the
Predators finished fourth in the conference.
The teams had played the previous five games to overtime, tying a record set
by Toronto and Montreal in the 1951 Stanley Cup Finals, but this game was won
thanks to 39 saves from Mike Smith, who posted his first career playoff
shutout.
Gilbert Brule, Kyle Chipchura and Oliver Ekman-Larsson each posted a goal and
an assist for the Coyotes, who also got a goal from Antoine Vermette.
Corey Crawford was tagged for all four goals on 20 shots for the Blackhawks,
who were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round for the second year in
a row after winning the Stanley Cup in 2010.
The Sports Network