Coyotes Blank Blackhawks 4-0, Advance to Second Round. - East Idaho News
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Coyotes Blank Blackhawks 4-0, Advance to Second Round.

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Getty Phoenix Coyotes Series?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1335245713523Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images(CHICAGO) — Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith saved all 39 shots he faced, as the Coyotes routed the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-0, advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the franchise  moved to Phoenix during the 1996-97 season.

“The hockey gods were probably looking down on us, giving us a chance, and Smith cleaned up the rest,” Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said.

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews had four points in the series.

“I don’t know what to say right now,” Toews said. “We worked so hard, we had so many chances, and every time we had a chance and it didn’t go in, we said, ‘Keep working, we’ll get another one. It’ll go in eventually.’ “

This is the second year in a row Chicago has been eliminated in the first round.

Next up for Phoenix, the Nashville Predators.

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