Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012: Coyotes Only Delaying Inevitable with Win over Kings

The Phoenix Coyotes’ ice has already melted.

They shielded their eyes from the one-game-away-from-vacation distractions and defeated the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. But looking at the big picture, all the win did was exactly that—delay their summer vacations in the desert for a few days.

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Phoenix’s Shane Doan said after the game:

"

We recognize we put ourselves in a tough position, (but) we also know it has been done. I guess that's what sports are all about, trying to do something that someone hasn't done for a while, try to do things (when) the odds are kind of stacked against you. Nobody wants to be in the position we're in, but everybody wants to prove they can answer that call.

"

Doan’s speech is inspirational, but at the same time, it’s futile.

Phoenix got lucky in Game 4 and they won’t beat the odds again. In the previous three contests, Los Angeles outscored them by the dominating differential of 10-3. Don’t expect the Kings to get shut out—or lose—again.

Doan continued to try to convince himself that victory is still within the Coyotes’ grasp, saying (via Pittsburgh Tribune-Review):

"

Two ways to look at it: They're either due to lose, or we've got to find a way to stop them. Law of averages says you're going to lose eventually on the road, so it happens. Next game wouldn't be a bad one to lose.

"

Plain and simple: Los Angeles got complacent up 3-0. Their loss on Sunday will serve as a splash of ice water to the Kings’ faces—they’re definitely awake now. They won’t lose again because the Kings know that one more loss flips the all pressure of the seven-game series 180 degrees back on them.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels