Friday, April 27, 2012

Game One -- Nashville at Phoenix -- April 27, 2012

For old times sake they should invite Jim Balsillie to drop the opening puck, the Canadian tech creator has some time on his hands, though perhaps his travel budget isn't quite as large as it once was owing to the end of his time with his Blackberry brand.

Still, this series is perhaps an intriguing prospect for people in Hamilton, as at one time or another, either or were apparently destined for the Copps coliseum, though as it turned out not without Gary Bettman moving all that he could to keep Balsillie out of the loop.

Away from the back rooms and on the ice, this is a series of two like minded teams,  hard work and character players dot the line up and goal tending as it always is providing the key to success for both squads.

Pekka Rinne continues to build on his success, his work against the Red Wings one of the keys to the Predators first round success, likewise Mike Smith, a reclamation project by the financially challenged Coyotes has more than repaid the confidence that Dave Tippet has placed in him over the regular season and into the playoffs.

Both teams match up much the same on defence and offence, a few key players but overall a unified team effort has put them where they are today, the Predators perhaps the more likely of the two to move upward, a methodical bit of team building has them on the cusp of further success.

Both teams move forward on their journey tonight with a game one start in Phoenix, the stage is all their own as round two gets underway, no doubt new converts to the cause will be along for the ride as the series moves on.

Game One-- Nashville 3 at Phoenix 4 (OT) 

Coyotes lead the series 1 game to 0 

Previews and Reviews

POST GAME

Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes take down Nashville in overtime in Game 1
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes continue to come through in clutch
Arizona Republic-- Referee's whistle helps Coyotes' Mike Smith stop Nashville Predators
Arizona Republic-- Predators' Pekka Rinne "vows to stay focuses and be ready"...
Arizona Republic-- New fans of Phoenix Coyotes get warm reception
The Tennessean-- Nashville Predators fall to Phoenix Coyotes in overtime
The Tennessean-- Pekka Rinne makes no excuses in Nashville Predators' loss
The Tennessean-- Nashville Predators struggle on face-offs, lose to Phoenix Coyotes
Globe and Mail-- Coyotes defeat Predators in game 1 overtime
National Post-- Coyotes, Predators not boiling over with offensive flair
National Post-- Coyotes draw first blood against Predators


 PRE GAME

The Tennessean-- Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes show depth of NHL
The Tennessean-- Predators to face Coyotes
The Tennessean-- Nashville Predators' Pekka Rinne leads NHL playoff run
The Tennessean-- Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes build teams on strong goaltending
The Tennessean-- Nashville Predators practice for game against Phoenix Coyotes
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith turns little potential into big results
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes look to each another level against Nashville Predators
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators - scouting report, prediction
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes look to buck late-game collapse trend vs. Nashville..
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Coyotes have much in common
Globe and Mail-- Triple threat gives Predators playoff punch


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