Coyotes look to pressure Quick

The Phoenix Coyotes did a strong job on defense and in goal in Game 3, particularly in the first two periods, but the Coyotes were only able to put one goal on the board. Clearly, their emphasis over the last couple days will have been on getting more offensive chances, both at even strength and on the power play. The Coyotes have a template, which is the way they played in the first period of Game 3, when they moved the puck quickly and accurately out of their own zone and were able to get offensive-zone time. Jonathan Quick held up well, but the Coyotes’ focus in Game 4 will be on making life more difficult on Quick, something that Coyotes coach Dave Tippett openly addressed.

TIPPETT: “Well, the secret for us is we have to find a way to get more pucks at him. You look at (Game 3). Other than the first period, I thought we had some — (for) the first time in the series we had any kind of, looked like, sustained pressure down there. Until we continue to test (Quick) for an extended period of time… He hasn’t had it very tough down there. So we know how (Mike) Smith plays, how well he has to play for us. I don’t think we’ve tested Quick enough yet. They’ve done a good job of protecting him, but I don’t think we’ve created enough around him.

“We have to find some ways to create some more opportunities, whether it’s on the power play or 5-on-5. I thought our first period, we were better, jumping on loose pucks, getting some pucks to  the net. As the game went on, you’re looking for people that create chances. We’re a team that scores by committee. But that being said, the people that play on the power play are the people that get the opportunity in offensive situations.  We have to have a little more from them.”