NHL Playoffs 2012- Last Night in the West (April 19)

Published: 20^th Apr 12 4:12 pm

by Derek Kessinger
Colorado Blogger

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NHL Playoffs 2012- Last Night in the West (April 19)

Jason O. Watson- US PRESSWIRE

It’s a good thing that overtime hockey does not get old because all four games of the Chicago-Phoenix game have gone into an extra period. Meanwhile, on the west coast, the St. Louis Blues’ skill continues to trump the experience of the San Jose Sharks as both series move towards an elimination game five.

Phoenix Coyotes 3 vs. Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT) (Coyotes leads series 3-1)
Mikkel Boedker was the hero in Chicago for the Phoenix Coyotes for the second night in a row. Boedker’s back-to-back overtime goals put the Coyotes up 3-1 in the series with their first chance at elimination back home in Phoenix. The Blackhawks fought back and tied the game late in the third after being down 2-0, but Phoenix struck just as overtime began to take the game.

The first two periods were scoreless, with Mike Smith and Corey Crawford battling in goal for their respective teams. Crawford gave up the first two goals of the game within about 40 seconds of each other. Shane Doan scored his first of the playoffs for the Coyotes, followed by a goal from Taylor Pyatt. Brendan Morrison scored with less than ten minutes remaining and Michael Frolik was finally able to solve Smith to force overtime.

St. Louis Blues 2 vs. San Jose Sharks 1 (St. Louis leads series 3-1)
After game one, it looked like the experience of San Jose’s veterans in winning their opening round series might make up for the team’s dismal first half. After losing three games in a row and facing a solid Brian Elliott in goal for the Blues, those hopes are fading. Elliott surrendered just one goal on 25 shots and the offense did the rest.

The Blues got goals from B.J. Crombeen and Andy McDonald to go up 2-0. It was McDonald’s third of the young playoffs. The San Jose Shark’s Joe Thornton got the team’s only goal with just 1:07 remaining in the game. It will be interesting to see if the Sharks retool this offseason if they do exit in the first round. Thornton could be a prime target to leave.

Check out Stephanie Lewark’s page for the Last Night in the East

Previous Posts:
Last Night in the West (April 11) Last Night in the West (April 12)
Last Night in the West (April 13) Last Night in the West (April 14)
Last Night in the West (April 15) Last Night in the West (April 16)
Last Night in the West (April 17) Last Night in the West (April 18)