The Phoenix Coyotes beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 in Glendale, Ariz., to win the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series in five games.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mike Smith stopped 32 shots and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 Monday night to win their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series in five games.
The Coyotes posted a tight victory, withstanding a late goal by Nashville’s Colin Wilson to reach the conference finals for the first time in 33 years as an NHL franchise.
Derek Morris and Martin Hanzal each scored and Smith nearly had an empty-net goal.
The third-seeded Coyotes next will face the Los Angeles Kings, the first No. 8 seed to knock off No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the same postseason.
Most Read Sports Stories
Fourth-seeded Nashville outshot Phoenix 33-17 and hit a post or crossbar at least three times.
Rangers take lead
NEW YORK — Marc Staal scored a power-play goal 1:35 into overtime after Brad Richards tied the score in the dying seconds of regulation to lift the New York Rangers to a stunning 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of their best-of-seven East semifinal series. The Rangers lead the series 3-2.
With goaltender Henrik Lundqvist pulled for an extra attacker, Washington’s Joel Ward took a four-minute penalty for high-sticking Carl Hagelin with 21.3 seconds left in the third period.
Richards tied the score with 6.6 seconds to go.
The top-seeded Rangers can advance to the East final series with a victory Wednesday in Washington.
Notes
• The Vancouver Canucks have agreed to a contract extension with general manager Mike Gillis. The Canucks have had the league’s best regular-season record in each of the last two seasons.
Among the tasks Gillis will have to deal with over the summer are the futures of goaltender Roberto Luongo and coach Alain Vigneault.
• Philadelphia scoring leader Claude Giroux was suspended for a game by the league for his illegal check to the head of New Jersey’s Dainius Zubrus in Game 4 of their East semifinal series. New Jersey leads the series 3-1.
• The U.S. team lost to Slovakia 4-2 at the world championships in Helsinki, Finland. The Americans are 2-1 at worlds.