Coyotes Hungry For Playoff Success | 
On March 27, 2010, the Phoenix Coyotes clinched a playoff spot for the first time since ‘02.
They reached the 100-point mark for the first time in franchise history finishing with 107. The previous high of 96 points was set way back in ’85 when the team was still in Winnipeg.
Phoenix has never won a playoff series. The Winnipeg Jets only won two playoff series. The first was in ’85 when the Jets defeated the Calgary Flames then were swept by the Oilers. The Second and last time was in ’87. They once again defeated the Flames in the first-round. Then, were blown out in four games by Gretzky and the Oilers for a second time.
Captain, Shane Doan is the only current Coyotes player to have played for both Phoenix and Winnipeg. In ’95-’96, his rookie season, he appeared in 74 games scoring seven goals and adding 10 helpers for the Jets. He also played in all six playoff games that season but failed to register a point. The Jets were eliminated by Detroit in their last game in Winnipeg.
The Coyotes, once again facing the Red Wings, are up a game heading into tonight’s game two. Doan insists that his team isn’t content with just making the playoffs.
“We think we’ve got a team that’s capable of being a very hard out,” explained Doan in a conference call.
“It’s been moments throughout the year where things could have went the other way, and guys have always responded. And we’re kind of taking the same type of approach to the playoffs.”
One of the players that has stepped up all season long is the unheralded defenseman, Keith Yandle. He did so again in game one scoring a goal and adding an assist.
He’s just a phenomenal player,” reiterated Doan. “And you can see it all the time on the ice, in practice and in different situations, you’d see him do things that no one else was doing. And you knew that it was just a matter of time before that all kind of came together and came to fruition for him. He’s probably been our best player probably 25% of the nights.”
As good as Yandle has been, it’s been a collective effort by the entire defense corps that has lead to the Coyotes’ success this season. Doan said player for player he’d put his guys up against any other team’s blueline.
“One through eight they are so deep now,” he said. “We have a lot of confidence in each and every one of them. Not only just playing defense, but they’ve contributed huge for us offensively as well.”
The Coyotes know they are going to need everyone to step up even more if they want to win their first playoff series since ’87.
“We’re just going to play it one game at a time and not try to get too far ahead of ourselves and worried about anything that’s going on around us.”
’99 was the last time the Coyotes had home ice advantage in the playoffs. They lost in seven games to the fifth seeded St. Louis Blues. Doan and The Coyotes are hoping for a different result this time around.
“Now that we’re here and we know, absolutely nobody is satisfied with just making it now,” said Doan. “And that’s a great feeling.”
Topics: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Keth Yandle, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes, Shane Doan, Winnipeg Jets
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