Coyotes at Blackhawks
THE STORY: Mike Smith was the one player touted as indispensable entering the Western Conference quarterfinal between the Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes. So the news that Smith was among three Phoenix players who didn’t practice Monday raised more than a few questions as the series shifted to Chicago for Tuesday’s Game 3 tied at one game apiece. Smith was flattened by a shoulder to the head during the Blackhawks’ overtime win Saturday, but remained in the game and claimed he was 100 percent.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, CNBC, TSN
ABOUT THE COYOTES: Smith reacted like he was beheaded when he was hit by Chicago’s Andrew Shaw during the second period, but played extremely well the rest of the way. Martin Hanzal, who scored in overtime of Game 1, and left wing Lauri Korpikoski also missed Monday’s practice after sustaining injuries in Game 2. Phoenix coach Dave Tippett declined to discuss the health of any of the three players, but said of Smith: “He’s fine.” Whether the same is true of the overall psyche of the Coyotes remains to be seen. Phoenix was 5.5 seconds from taking a 2-0 series lead before allowing the tying goal Saturday.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS: Bryan Bickell’s dramatic game-winner in overtime Saturday capped his first career two-goal game and halted a string of four straight losses to the Coyotes, including two in a one-week span in Chicago earlier in the season. The Blackhawks made history in Phoenix, becoming the first team in league history to score tying goals with less than 15 seconds left in regulation in back-to-back games of the same series. Defenseman Brent Seabrook triggered the last-minute magic both times. His blast from the point Saturday was redirected by Patrick Sharp to force overtime. Seabrook also scored with 14.2 seconds left in Game 1 to send that contest into overtime.
OVERTIME:
1. Shaw had his league disciplinary hearing Monday and a decision on any punishment will be announced Tuesday.
2. Phoenix allowed as many goals in Saturday’s 4-3 loss as it had in winning its previous six games.
3. The Blackhawks are 7-1 in their last eight playoff home games.