Phoenix
Coyotes

News: Boedker had his best season in the last three years for the Coyotes, tallying 24 points in eight games to go along with a minus-2 rating and 108 hits.
Impact: Boedker's hit total flies off the chart, as his previous high was 42 in 34 games in 2010. The real reason for optimism as far as Boedker is concerned, however, is his impressive postseason offense, tallying eight points in Phoenix's 16 playoff games. He's a potential sleeper to keep an eye on heading into next season.

News: Whitney suffered from back problems throughout the postseason, Craig Morgan of FOX Arizona reports.
Impact: Whitney's injury explains his limited production in the postseason. The only time the team's prime line of Whitney-Radim Vrbata-Martin Hanzal ever got going was in Game 5 against the Kings. An unrestricted free agent this offseason, Whitney's return to the desert is, at this point, a question mark.

News: Doan revealed Thursday that he had fought a hip injury throughout much of the postseason, Craig Morgan of FOX Arizona reports.
Impact: Doan was still tremendous for the Coyotes as he led the team to the deepest postseason run in franchise history. An unrestricted free agent this offseason, Doan will likely be a top priority for general manager Don Maloney.

News: Rozsival, who took what some thought to be a cheap shot from LA's Dustin Brown just minutes prior to the Kings' game-winning goal Tuesday, did not suffer any structural damage in his knee, Craig Morgan of FOX Arizona reports.
Impact: Rozsival has a knee/thigh bruise, but the injury does not put him at any risk for training camp and next season, though he will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

News: Hanzal revealed that he played through the postseason with a rib injury, Craig Morgan of FOX Arizona reports.
Impact: According to GM Don Maloney, Hanzal may also need to undergo offseason surgery, but he did not reveal where or why.

News: Bissonette skated in 31 games for the Coyotes in the 2011-12 season, finishing with one goal and a minus-4 rating.
Impact: Biz, a fan favorite on Twitter, is the Coyotes' enforcer, as he collected 41 PIMs in his 31 games. He's not someone to look to for anything productive for fantasy purposes, but he'll be back for a similar role next season.

News: Aucoin revealed that he had been playing during the postseason with a groin injury, Craig Morgan of FOX Arizona reports.
Impact: Aucoin had his quietest year offensively in the last three seasons, with nine points in 64 games (he had 22 points in 75 games in 2010 and 28 in 82 games in 2009). As a free agent this offseason, it would be a surprise to see Aucoin back in the desert, especially given the pool of young blue line talent the Coyotes have stockpiled.

News: Aucoin (undisclosed injury) is a game-time decision for Tuesday's game against the Kings, NHL.com reports.
Impact: Aucoin took part in the team's optional morning skate, but if he can't go in Tuesday's elimination game, then the Coyotes would likely turn to Michael Stone.

News: Vermette chipped in with an assist and had a would-be goal fly off the crossbar during Sunday's 2-0 win over Los Angeles.
Impact: Vermette has been an underrated piece of the Coyotes offense throughout the postseason, and his work on faceoffs (12-of-18) set up Shane Doan's second goal of the game.

News: Hanzal returned from his one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Dustin Brown as the Coyotes skated to a 2-0 win in Game 4 on Sunday.
Impact: Hanzal is a key cog in the Phoenix offense and while it didn't show on the scoresheet, he played a critical role in helping to set up the Coyotes' first goal. Interestingly, Hanzal skated for just 1:33 in the second period, leading to speculation that he sustained an injury, but he did return for a normal role in the third.

News: Aucoin (undisclosed) returned to the ice Sunday before leaving the game in the third period.
Impact: No information is available yet about Aucoin's status, but the Coyotes would certainly like to be able to rely on him heading into a pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday.

News: Smith was as solid as he has been throughout the playoffs and season as a whole, making 36 saves en route to a 2-0 season-saving win over the Kings on Sunday.
Impact: Smith pitched his third shutout of the postseason and continues to provide the Coyotes with excellent netminding. As long as he's in net, the Coyotes aren't out of it -- the question is, and has been throughout the season, whether he'll get the goal support he needs to post the W.

News: Doan scored both Phoenix goals in a season-saving 2-0 win over Los Angeles on Sunday.
Impact: Whether the Coyotes are able to turn it around and keep the series going behind Tuesday remains yet to be seen, but it's fitting that Phoenix's captain came through in a big way facing elimination. The goals mark Doan's second and third points of the series.

News: Smith didn't have a bad game Thursday -- he stopped 26 of 28 shots -- but the 'Yotes only put one home on Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, sending Phoenix to a 3-0 series deficit in the Western Conference Finals.
Impact: Smith hasn't been wholly spectacular, but he's had to face a lot more shots than Quick has, and he's played well against Los Angeles, stopping 106 of 115 shots for a .921 save mark. Unfortunately, the Coyotes have scored just three total goals in the series, having run into the red-hot Quick.

News: Aucoin (undisclosed) will not play Thursday, Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact: Michael Stone will skate in his place, likely with Rostislav Klesla.

News: Pouliot will step in for the suspended Martin Hanzal when the Coyotes take on the Kings on Thursday, Sarah McLellan reports.
Impact: Coach Dave Tippett won't confirm where Pouliot will play yet, but the Coyotes are desperate for some offensive shake-ups so this may not be a bad thing.

News: Hanzal has been suspended one game for a hit on Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown.
Impact: The NHL announced the penalty Wednesday, a day after Hanzal was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding at 11:01 of the third period in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals series. Hanzal will miss Game 3 on Thursday night in Los Angeles. The Kings lead the series 2-0.

News: Hanzal has been suspended one game for his illegal hit on the Kings' Dustin Brown in Game 2, NHL.com reports.
Impact: Hanzal will be eligible to return for Phoenix's Game 4 in Los Angeles. In 10 postseason games thus far, Hanzal has tallied three goals and two assists.

News: Aucoin (undisclosed) did not play in the Coyotes game 2 loss to LA and his status for game 3 has yet to be determined.
Impact: To replace Aucoin, rookie Michael Stone made his playoff debut. If the Coyotes have any chance of getting back in this series they'll need Aucoin and his strong defensive presence to slow down the high-powered Kings offense.

News: Aucoin (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Kings, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports.
Impact: Aucoin was held out of Game 1, and it's uncertain whether he'll be ready for Tuesday's tilt. The team would certainly like to get him back, as the 38-year-old defenseman posted a plus-14 ratio during the regular season.