You mean the team that played 8-2-3 to close out the season without their best player? That's the team that's not playing at a higher level?
I don't remember all these gimmies you talked about for Phoenix. I remember a few for the Hawks. I remember Bickell staring at an open net but instead hitting Smith in the pads. I remember Sharp all alone for a one-timer but smashing it into the crowd instead. I don't remember as many chances for Phoenix. I only remember unforced Hawks mistakes leading to Phoenix goals.
I don't see how you can make a conclusion that Phoenix is playing so much better as a team after 70 minutes of playoff hockey. Especially when it was a one-goal margin.
You can argue that the Coyotes are the hottest team in the league right now. Not saying we aren't good, they're just playing better right now.
I just felt they outplayed us in that game and that we were lucky to be within one goal and then to even go to OT.
It's not just the one game though that I was referring to. I meant the whole second half of the season up till today.
Can we be better than them? Sure, like I said, we have the most talent in probably the entire conference. We just haven't played up to that and until I see that I'm not going to give the benefit of the doubt to the Coyotes being the better team.
