Scouting the Coyotes

This is Game 1 in the best-of-seven, Western Conference Finals series between the Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes. In the regular season, the Kings won twice in regulation and once in overtime while the Coyotes won once in regulation, once in overtime and once in a shootout. In the regular-season series, the Kings went 2-for-17 on the power play while the Coyotes went 4-for-20 on the power play. This is the Kings’ first trip to the conference finals since 1993 and it is the Coyotes’ first-ever trip to the conference finals. The Coyotes are without suspended forward Raffi Torres and injured defenseman Adrian Aucoin. So far in Phoenix’s playoff run, goalie Mike Smith has recorded two shutouts and has allowed two or fewer goals in eight of his 11 games. In the postseason, Antoine Vermette leads the Coyotes with five goals and nine points, while Keith Yandle has a team-high seven assists. For the latest on the Coyotes, check out the coverage from The Arizona Republic, followed by the possible lineups for the Coyotes and the Kings…

The Arizona Republic’s Coyotes coverage

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COYOTES LINEUP
Ray Whitney-Martin Hanzal-Radim Vrbata
Mikkel Boedker-Antoine Vermette-Shane Doan
Taylor Pyatt-Boyd Gordon-Lauri Korpikoski
Kyle Chipchura-Daymond Langkow-Gilbert Brule

Keith Yandle-Derek Morris
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Michal Rozsival
Rostislav Klesla-David Schlemko

Mike Smith
Jason LaBarbera

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KINGS LINEUP
Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams
Dustin Penner-Mike Richards-Jeff Carter
Dwight King-Jarret Stoll-Trevor Lewis
Brad Richardson-Colin Fraser-Jordan Nolan

Rob Scuderi-Drew Doughty
Willie Mitchell-Slava Voynov
Alec Martinez-Matt Greene

Jonathan Quick
Jonathan Bernier