Kings vs. Coyotes: Keys to L.A. Putting Phoenix Down 0-2 in Western Finals

In what is one of the unlikeliest Western Conference Finals in recent memory, the No. 3 Phoenix Coyotes and No. 8 Los Angeles Kings are doing battle to determine the left coast's representative in the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Kings jumped out to a 1-0 series lead, so the Coyotes are sure to be desperate in Game 2 on home ice. Los Angeles has already conquered the top-two seeds in the conference and is already well on its way to taking out the No. 3 seed, as well.

If L.A. is going to put the Coyotes' collective backs against the wall, though, there's plenty that must be done.

Here are the three biggest keys to the Kings getting past the Coyotes in Game 2 and putting them in a hole that may be too big to climb out of.

Jonathan Quick Must Come Up Big

Although he was a bit shaky early in the Kings' 4-2 victory in Game 1, Los Angeles goalie Jonathan Quick is the biggest reason why the Kings have gotten as far as they have.

Not only is he a leading candidate for the Vezina Trophy thanks to his 35 wins, 1.95 goals against average and 10 shutouts during the regular season, but Quick has been dominant in the playoffs, too.

Quick may very well be the favorite to win the Conn Smythe award, which is given to the postseason's most valuable player. He has turned away nearly 95 percent of the shots he has faced and will need to maintain that form against Phoenix on Tuesday night.

Goals are likely to be at a premium in this game since Phoenix and L.A. are two of the most defensively responsible teams in the league this season, so as long as Quick is better than his counterpart Mike Smith, the Kings should be able to put the Coyotes on the ropes.

Power Play Needs to Improve

Despite having a roster that is chock full of skilled forwards, the Kings were among the worst offensive teams in the league during the regular season.

Trading for forward Jeff Carter certainly gave them a bump in that regard, but L.A. has underachieved all season long in the scoring department.

Even the most offensively-gifted teams struggle to break through against the stingy Coyotes, though, so the Kings will have to take advantage of the few opportunities they are afforded. The Kings were 0-4 on the power play in Game 1, but can't let such golden chances go by the wayside in Game 2 if they expect to win again.

With players like Carter, Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Drew Doughty capable of playing with the man advantage, L.A. should be able to pot a power-play goal or two in any given game.

Provided they have four or more chances again on Tuesday, they'll have to convert this time around.

Continue Shutting Down Phoenix's Top Line

Although the Coyotes don't seem to have as much offensive talent as the Kings on the surface, they were a better scoring team during the regular season by virtue of their impressive depth.

Even with that depth, though, Phoenix is going to have a tough time succeeding if its top line of Martin Hanzal, Radim Vrabta and Ray Whitney doesn't come through on the score sheet.

That trio was shut down with ease in Game 1, but absolutely must do some damage in Game 2.

Since every single one of the Kings' lines are responsible defensively, Phoenix's top unit is going to have to battle regardless of who they're on the ice against.

Neither Whitney nor Vrbata may be big names, but Whitney was 12th in the league in scoring during the regular season while Vrbata netted 35 goals, so they are more important than many realize.

If the Kings are able to maintain their defensive intensity against that line, then the Coyotes are going to have trouble even reaching the two-goal mark that they hit in Game 1.

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