Kings Vs. Coyotes, Game 3: Los Angeles Grabs 3-0 Series Lead

The Coyotes will try to send the series back to Phoenix by winning Game 4. If Phoenix is going to have a chance, they are going to need better play from goaltender Mike Smith. In the first three games of the series, Smith has allowed nine goals, saving 106-of-115 shots.

Sunday’s Game 4 is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC.

We talk about “killer instinct” in hockey quite a bit. Great teams supposedly have it, and it’s a serious flaw for teams that lack it. Wow, do these Kings have it.

From the moment they scored their second goal, taking a 2-1 lead over the Coyotes in the third period of Game 3, the Los Angeles Kings completely took over the hockey game, and it was evident that the Phoenix Coyotes had zero chance of coming back from the deficit.

The Coyotes definitely look more on top of their skates in the early going of Game 3. Los Angeles isn’t beating them to nearly the same number of pucks as they did in the first two games of the series. They’re getting through the neutral zone a little easier as well, and as a result, they’ve taken 15 shot attempts at Jonathan Quick through the first ten or so minutes of the game. That’s compared to just seven shot attempts from the Kings.

Oh, and Paul Bissonnette has made himself seen in his pair of shifts so far in the game. Sometimes, just a bit of energy can go a long way when your team has been thoroughly dominated like Phoenix has in these first two games. Bissonnette might not be all that good at hockey, but he can provide an emotional edge. It helps.

Game 3 is underway, and yes, Paul Bissonnette is in the lineup. All hands on deck, Phoenix.

I don’t want to excite you or anything, but the NHL’s most prolific Twitter user might just be in the Phoenix Coyotes’ lineup during Thursday’s Game 3. Paul Bissonnette has been spotted during warmups at Staples Center, and while that’s not necessarily out of the ordinary, he’s joined the fourth line during line rushes, an indication that he just might be in the actual lineup.

Coyotes coach Dave Tippett has put Biz in warmups in the past as a way to get the team excited for the game, only to pull him out of the lineup at the last possible moment. We won’t know what the official word is until moments before puck drop. Chipchura has played 12 games this postseason for the Coyotes.

Brown stayed down on the ice for a few seconds, but returned to the game following the incident. Game 3 of the series is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET on Thursday and will be played in Los Angeles.

For all news and information regarding the Phoenix Coyotes, please visit Five For Howling. For complete coverage of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, stay tuned to SB Nation’s dedicated NHL hub.

For all news and information regarding the Phoenix Coyotes, please visit Five For Howling. For complete coverage of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, stay tuned to SB Nation’s dedicated NHL hub.