Doan: This year’s Coyotes have higher ceiling

When the Phoenix Coyotes qualified for the Stanley Cup
Playoffs two seasons ago, they were a novelty. Sure, they
skated into the postseason with a franchise-high 107
points, but they hadn’t been to the “party” in seven
years.

That Coyotes team went seven games with a talented Detroit
Red Wings team before succumbing.

Last season, the Coyotes again punched a ticket to the
playoffs, but limped in by losing four of their final six
regular season games and were derailed by untimely (and
inaccurate) relocation rumors and shoddy goaltending in a
5-game loss to Detroit.

This postseason, things look different for Dave Tippett’s
hockey team. The Coyotes are going into the playoffs hot,
having won five straight and their goalie, Mike Smith, is
nearly impossible to score on right now.

Captain Shane Doan, who joined Doug & Wolf on Arizona
Sports 620 Monday afternoon, has a good outlook on the
Coyotes’ upcoming Western Conference Quarterfinal series
against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“This year, the ceiling of this team than I’ve ever been
on,” Doan said. “I’m excited, I truly am excited.

“No one would have picked us to break this thing of 33
years without a title, and it’s about time we won a round,
too. It’s been twenty-five years since we’ve won a round,
so we’ll do that too this year.”

One of the reasons why Doan (and others) are confident
about the Phoenix’s chances in their first round series
against the Blackhawks is the fact that the playoffs
aren’t new to this franchise anymore. The last two trips
to the postseason illustrated that this is no longer
about just getting an invite to the party.

“The point was really driven home that this wasn’t our
goal, this is just something that happens along the way,
and we’re excited,” Doan said.

The Coyotes host Chicago in Game 1 Thursday night at
Jobing.com Arena.

Follow @Vincemarotta