Jason LaBarbera News

Jason LaBarbera, right, congratulates goaltending partner Mike Smith after a win by the Phoenix Coyotes.

January 13, 2011;; Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen screens Phoenix Coyotes goalie Jason LaBarbera Columbus defeated Phoenix 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-US PRESSWIREApril 5, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson scores past Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov as defensemen Shane O Well, ... (more)

No doubt about it, the Phoenix Coyotes are probably as bitter - and angry - as any team that got booted out of the playoffs in recent memory.

Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown is playing inspired hockey for his team right now, and if he continues to dominate all over the ice, he will accept the Stanley Cup from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman next month as a champion.

Arguably, no one knows the goaltending matchup in the Phoenix Coyotes-Los Angeles Kings playoff series better than Jason Labarbera, who was in the Kings' organization when Jonathan Quick was just coming up and now backs up Mike Smith with the Coyotes.

Two improbable teams, at least for those handicapping the start of these 2012 playoffs will face off for the Western Conference title this evening, the Los Angeles Kings, the dragon slayers of these playoffs thus far taking on the Phoenix Coyotes, a team which many feel should have long ago been either moved or disbanded.

A Pacific Division matchup in the Western Conference finals wasn't an early-season forecast among hockey experts, but a meeting between the Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings for the Clarence Campbell Trophy hints at the strength of the division.

The Phoenix Coyotes and Mike Smith defeated the Nashville Predators and their Vezina Candidate Goaltender Pekka Rinne to secure a place in the Western Conference Finals.

In total, 15 of the 33 players who have hit the ice for the Phoenix Coyotes this season have been with the club less than 16 months.

Going into the playoffs this year, all the talk was about how dominant the Central division was , and how it was certain that two of the four teams would meet up in the Western Conference Finals.

Last night the Phoenix Coyotes shut out the Nashville Predators in Nashville, with the final score 1-0. The Coyotes lead the series 3-0, and they have a very real chance to finish the series on Monday at Jobing.com Arena where they have not lost to the Predators in the post-season. Last nights goal from Shane Doan was the furthest thing from a ... (more)