Coyotes beat Predators 1-0, go up 3-1 in series

The Associated Press

Published: Saturday, May 5 2012 12:14 a.m. MDT

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Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Nashville Predators in the first period of Game 4 in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoff series, Friday, May 4, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mike Strasinger)

Associated Press

Summary

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Shane Doan scored in the first period, Mike Smith made 25 saves and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Nashville Predators 1-0 on Friday night to grab a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series.

By winning their first game in the month of May, the Coyotes can advance to the conference finals with a win in Game 5 on Monday night in Arizona.

The Predators played with forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn benched for a second straight game, this time the decision by coach Barry Trotz to stick with the lineup that won 2-0 on Wednesday night. When Radulov and Kostitsyn were announced as scratches, some fans cheered.

They sorely missed their offense, though Nashville thought it tied it with 7:12 remaining. But officials waved off the power-play goal because a whistle blew before the puck crossed the line.

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