NHL: Boedker's goals lead Phoenix past Los Angeles

GLENDALE - Mikkel Boedker scored twice and the Phoenix Coyotes took a four-goal lead and went on to beat the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 on Tuesday night.

Roadkill numbers huge at Saguaro Park, officials say

Many Tucsonans were saddened when a mountain lion was killed by a vehicle in Saguaro National Park last month - and they might be even more troubled to learn the magnitude of the roadkill slaughter.

NM shooting range to hold coyote-killing contest

ALBUQUERQUE — A shooting range and gun store is scheduled to hold a two-day contest to see who can kill the most coyotes in New Mexico.

Hit trail to view critters of the night

At dusk and in the dark, there's much desert wildlife activity this time of year. Participants in an upcoming night walk at Feliz Paseos Park might come across a mule deer, javelinas or even a scorpion. Scorpions show up well under a black light, which will be available.

Hit trail to view critters of the night

Caption unavailable

Hit trail to view critters of the night

Caption unavailable

Free nature walk at Feliz Paseos Park to view critters of the night

Call them critters of the night. They are the animals that roam the Sonoran Desert in the hours of darkness - and state wildlife officers will lead a free nature walk Friday evening in search of some of them.

In third game, Coyotes hit the wall

Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) gets the puck past Coyotes goalie Mike Smith, tying the game at 1 early in the second period.

In third game, Coyotes hit the wall

LOS ANGELES - At both blue lines, a wall seemed to be set up.

No respect: Phoenix is considered underdog

Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith celebrated a lot during the playoffs as he did here in an overtime win against Nashville in Game 1.

No respect: Phoenix is considered underdog

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick stops another St. Louis shot in the playoffs and "is second to none this year," Coyotes GM Don Maloney says.

No respect: Phoenix is considered underdog

The list of accomplishments keeps growing.

Coyotes comfortable in their roles

GLENDALE - The Phoenix Coyotes' unexpected postseason success can be attributed to a lot of factors, beginning with the play of goalie Mike Smith.

Whitney gives Phoenix a first

Somewhere in the middle of these celebrating Phoenix Coyotes is Ray Whitney, who scored the winning goal against Nashville in overtime.

Whitney gives Phoenix a first

Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith turns away a shot by Nashville's Brandon Yip (18) during the second period of Game 1. Smith made 39 saves in Phoenix's victory.

Whitney gives Phoenix a first

GLENDALE - Ray Whitney scored 14:04 into overtime and the Phoenix Coyotes survived another late goal in regulation to open the Western Conference semifinals with a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night.

Second-round foes appear as mirror images

GLENDALE - One team has a goalie who plays the crease like a spider in a web, multiple players who can score and a hard-hitting, defense-first mentality.

NHL playoffs: Coyotes 4, Blackhawks 0: Next stop: Nashville

Somewhere in the middle of that scrum is Coyotes goalie Mike Smith, who faced, and stopped, 39 Chicago shots in a 4-0 Game 6 victory Monday night. The series win is the first for the franchise since it was playing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as the Jets in 1987.

NHL playoffs: Coyotes 4, Blackhawks 0: Next stop: Nashville

CHICAGO - Mike Smith refused to budge. And now, thanks to his first career postseason shutout, the Phoenix Coyotes are finally moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

NHL playoffs: Desperate mindset may help Coyotes close out Chicago

CHICAGO - With the Coyotes still holding a 3-2 series lead over the Chicago Blackhawks in their Western Conference quarterfinal series, it'd be premature to hail Game 5's collapse as the turning point.