NHL Playoffs: 6 Most Important Phoenix Coyotes Heading into Conference Finals

With the Conference Finals ready to begin, the Phoenix Coyotes might be thrown off by something other than their opponents, the Los Angeles Kings. Stability. For a franchise that has teetered precariously near words like relocation, contraction and bankruptcy, the Coyotes may now find themselves in unfamiliar territory.

A signed deal is far from near, and the Coyotes have been down this road a few times before. Greg Jamison and his ownership group seem legitimate enough to warrant a pre-Game 5 press conference. While false hopes and unfulfilled promises seem to be the norm rather than the exception, the Coyotes playoff run has overshadowed the dark clouds on the horizon.

The only thing consistent in Phoenix has been the inconsistency in ownership over the past seven years. After surviving the "Gretzky years" from 2005-09, the Coyotes were taken over by the league after owner Jerry Moyes led the team into bankruptcy instead of the playoffs.

Dave Tippett took over the coaching duties after Gretzky stepped down and led the Coyotes to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. By rallying an unspectacular roster and using the the instability in ownership to galvanize the locker room, Tippett led Phoenix to their first ever division title (Winnipeg or Phoenix). The Coyotes appearance in the Western Conference Finals is also a first for the franchise.

The Coyotes most recognizable player is a guy who may not even dress for the series (Paul Bissonette). Their leading scorer this season is old enough to have kids in the league. Their goalie is a reject from a team that didn't even make the playoffs this year.

The Coyotes first two rounds featured a stout defense and some timely scoring. Facing the Pacific Division rival Kings in the Conference Finals, familiarity will surely breed some contempt. Phoenix edged a tightly contested season series 3-2-1, with goalies featuring prominently.

Here are six players who need to bring their best in order for the Coyotes to advance to their first ever Stanley Cup Final.

Ray Whitney

After leading the Coyotes in scoring this year with 77 points, Ray Whitney was enjoying a renaissance this season. Turning 40 only a couple of days ago may have given the Phoenix left winger a mid life crisis of sorts as he flirted with a career high in points, before setting a personal assists mark. Whitney also eclipsed the 1,000 point mark for his career during the last week of the season.

The playoffs have been a different story for Whitney, as there has been little room to skate while drawing the opponents top defensive tandem. While Whitney has gotten on the scoreboard, it is with less frequency than the regular season.

The Coyotes will need Whitney to take another dip in the Fountain of Youth if they want to knock off the Kings.

Keith Yandle

Keith Yandle has emerged as the top defenseman in Phoenix over the last few seasons. After a career high in points last year, Yandle's offense took a dip this season. As the quarterback of the Phoenix power play Yandle's puck moving skills have been crucial through the first two rounds.

Yandle is the top assist man for the Coyotes and all NHL defenseman in the postseason but has yet to light the lamp. As the team leader in ice time during the regular season Yandle now ranks fourth in that category among Phoenix defenseman. Dave Tippett has never been shy about sending a message to his players, and his success in the desert is beyond reproach.

Yandle will need to step up his game against the skilled forwards of Los Angeles. His style of play is less physical and more on positioning and puck movement. Both are crucial to the Coyotes success and Yandle will be the man to watch on the Coyote blue line.

Antoine Vermette

Ashton Kutcher's stunt double has been a revelation as a trade deadline acquisition. Surely he's happy to be playing in Phoenix versus golfing in Columbus. A face-off specialist with a hint of a scoring touch, Vermette is an excellent two way center who can skate with anyone.

Vermette is currently leading the Coyotes in goals (5) and points (9) through the Coyotes first 11 games. While the focus of the Coyote opponents has been the regular season scoring leaders, Vermette has been able to find more skating room through the first two rounds.

Centering the Coyote's second line has given Vermette a favorable matchup in the first two rounds. Against the Kings, Vermette will face a deeper roster of talented forwards and the hottest goalie in the league not named Smith.

If Vermette can continue to get the timely goals, neutralize the Kings top centers, and control faceoffs, the Coyotes have a fighting chance.

Radim Vrbata

The Coyotes leading goal getter in the regular season has had a tough go of it so far this post-season. Radim Vrbata's 35 tallies were by far the highest on the Coyotes roster. With obviously tighter checking and an emphasis on defense, Vrbata and linemate Ray Whitney have drawn the focus of the Coyotes first two opponents.

The top line for Phoenix has had their share of chances so far, but it hasn't translated to statistical success. A team first attitude means that the Coyotes are measuring their success with each step they take into uncharted playoff territory.

The Kings and Coyotes weren't exactly lighting up the scoreboard during the regular season, and the playoffs have seen each team tighten up the defense even more. Vrbata will need to find his scoring touch and keep grinding to make the Coyote's first line dangerous.

Whether he scores or not is unimportant to Vrbata and the rest of his teammates. Being a threat to score and forcing the opponents to adjust to his presence on the ice while helping his team win is all that matters.

Shane Doan

Shane Doan is certainly happy to be here. He hasn't sniffed the postseason much and appreciates every game.

The lone holdover from the Winnipeg days, it's hard not to root for Doan. He's every bit the gritty, gutty captain that Los Angeles has in Dustin Brown, but hasn't lit up the score sheet the way Brown has for the Kings.

Doan's presence is more significant than goals and assists. He embodies Dave Tippett's team first style as a Coyote lifer and will take wins over points any day.

Doan will be counted on for his leadership as he leads his team into battle Sunday. As a great two-way player, Doan can shut down the opposition, and is dangerous enough to keep his opponents honest in their defensive end.

With his career winding down, Shane Doan realizes that this may be his best chance to get a Stanley Cup. The Coyotes have proven they can skate with any team in the NHL. They have the benefit of Los Angeles taking out the top two seeds, but they don't change their style to play against anyone.

Look for Doan to really step up in this series when it matters the most. Defense will rule the series, but a timely goal or two from the Phoenix captain can swing the series for the Coyotes.

Mike Smith

Toiling in anonymity for most of his career, Mike Smith had a hard time finding a starting job before this season. Cast off from the Tampa Bay Lightning in favor of a 42-year-old starter, Smith took his talents to the Arizona oasis. His regular season saw more consistency than he was able to maintain in other stops in Tampa and Dallas. Statistically, Mike Smith deserves Vezina Trophy consideration every bit as much as the guy at the other end of the ice Jonathan Quick.

Smith's postseason has been exceptional to say the least. With two shutouts already in his pocket, Smith has been standing on his head with regularity. The Coyotes have been notorious for allowing the late goal to extend games this postseason, and six of the 11 games have gone to overtime.

While Smith has bailed the Coyotes out on a fairly regular basis, the Phoenix netminder has faced a ton of shots. The Coyotes need to get some more scoring or start blocking shots to help their man out. Smith has shown that he can steal a series, even with an equally impressive netminder in the other goal. He'll be the key against the Kings, by keeping them off the scoreboard early.

The Coyotes hold the home ice (dis)advantage which hasn't helped a single team this postseason. The little things are probably going to make the difference in this series as both match up well with one another. The season series featured five one-goal games, four overtime games and two 1-0 scorelines.

The ability for Phoenix and Los Angeles to close out their first two series early means that both teams have had fewer games and more time to rest. Both will be healthy going into Sunday's opener in Phoenix.

Prediction: While Los Angeles seems to have more talent and scoring on paper, the Coyotes play a more complete team game. The Coyotes avoid giving up the late goals and Smith tops Quick. Coyotes win the series 4-2.