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Phoenix is totally indifferent to the Radulov and Kostitsyn suspensions

Nashville Predators v Phoenix Coyotes - Game Two

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 29: Head coach Dave Tippett of the Phoenix Coyotes watches from the bench in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Nashville Predators during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on April 29, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Predators 5-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Christian Petersen

The Phoenix Coyotes don’t care that Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn aren’t playing for Nashville tonight.

Want proof? Just ask them.

That’s what Tyler Lockman of Fox Sports Arizona did on Tuesday. While it would’ve been fun to hear one of the ‘Yotes say “I wish Radulov was playing, he’s been junk,” or “Kostitsyn has like half their goals, so I’m glad he’s out,” it didn’t happen. Every member of the Phoenix organization gave a variation of the same bland response.

Mike Smith: “I don’t think it really matters who’s in the lineup. We can’t focus on what’s going on over there. We’ve got to worry about ourselves.”

Antoine Vermette: “I don’t think it should affect us too much. They’re going to play hard. We know that. They’re going to play desperate. So it shouldn’t change our approach to the game.”

Shane Doan: “They had a great team before they added those guys. Obviously, adding those guys was big, but they’ve got a really good team with or without them.”

Dave Tippett: “What their lineup is is inconsequential to us. We’ve got to concentrate on the things we have to do to improve our game.”

The Coyotes then removed their face plates to unveil a series of wires and electrodes.