2012 NHL Playoffs: The Chicago Blackhawks Lost to the Better Team

The Phoenix Coyotes are going home to prepare for the second round of the NHL playoffs. The Chicago Blackhawks are just going home.

The 'Hawks 2011-12 season was ended by the Phoenix Coyotes Monday. Despite pitching a tent in the Coyotes zone and reigning 39 shots on goal, the 'Hawks were not able to score a single goal in Game 6.

The Blackhawks couldn't score off of turnovers in the Phoenix zone. They couldn't score on breakaways. They couldn't find the mark on the power play. They couldn't knock a loose puck in from the front of the net. They couldn't slip in a short-handed 2-on-1 attempt.

The wheels came off of Chicago's season as the Coyotes poured a trio of third period goals in front of a stunned United Center audience. In truth, the damage was done long before Jimmy Hayes was whistled for a five-minute boarding infraction midway through the final frame.

Chicago barraged Phoenix goalie Mike Smith with 16 first period shots while holding the Coyotes to just two. The 'Hawks threw everything but the kitchen sink at Smith, but after 20 minutes the teams were dead even on the scoreboard.

Phoenix took their fifth shot in the 14th minutes of the middle frame. That shot, off of the stick of Oliver Eckman-Larsson, was all the Coyotes would need.

For the most part, this was the story of the series. The Coyotes patiently waited for scoring opportunities, then converted. The Blackhawks threw a seemingly endless stream of shots at Smith and couldn't convert.

Mike Smith led Phoenix to victory. For as much credit as you want to give Smith, this wasn't solely a case of a hot goalie robbing the 'Hawks of a spot in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Coyotes won this series because over the course of six games they were the better team. Phoenix had the better goalie in net, to be sure. However, they outplayed the Blackhawks in other areas.

Phoenix defended better in front of Smith. They also scored three big overtime goals. Their power play outscored Chicago's four to one.

Heading into the series, I wondered if Chicago's star power would prevail over the pack mentality employed by Phoenix. As the sands ran out for the 'Hawks Monday night, the answer lay in the patience displayed by the Coyotes.

There will be ample time in the coming days to dissect the now completed season, cast blame and assess needs for a deeper run next season. For now, there is little that we can do but tip a cap in the direction of the desert.