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Western Conference finals preview: Kings vs. Coyotes, playoff experience

Coyotes Kings 2

One of the most popular “head to head” angles at this stage of the season is playoff experience. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the playoff resumes from both Los Angeles and Phoenix.

Phoenix Coyotes

Most postseason games:

Ray Whitney (98), Daymond Langkow (70), Adrian Aucoin (61), Antoine Vermette (53), Taylor Pyatt (52), Shane Doan (50).

Stanley Cup finals appearances:

Whitney (Carolina, 2006), Vermette (Ottawa, 2007), Alexandre Bolduc (Vancouver, 2011)

Stanley Cups won:

Whitney (2006, Carolina)

Notes:

Raffi Torres has 56 games and been to two Cup finals, but he’s suspended.

Bolduc played 1:39 in Vancouver’s 1-0 victory over Boston in Game 1.

Los Angeles

Most postseason games:

Mike Richards (72), Rob Scuderi (70), Justin Williams (60), Willie Mitchell (60), Jeff Carter (56), Dustin Penner (49).

Stanley Cup finals appearances:

Richards (Philadelphia, 2010), Carter (Philadelphia, 2010), Scuderi (Pittsburgh, 2008-09), Penner (Anaheim, 2007), Williams (Carolina, 2006), Matt Greene (Edmonton, 2006), Jarret Stoll (Edmonton, 2006).

Stanley Cups won:

Scuderi (Pittsburgh, 2009), Penner (Anaheim, 2007), Williams (Carolina, 2006).

Notes:

Colin Fraser won a Cup with Chicago in 2010, though he only played three games in the opening round against Nashville.

Ethan Moreau and Simon Gagne also have extensive playoff experience, but neither are currently on the active roster.

Synopsis

One of the most overlooked narratives heading into this postseason was just how much experience the Kings had, though it wasn’t overlooked by captain Dustin Brown -- who has all of 21 playoff games under his belt.

“I think those guys definitely help,” Brown told LA Kings Insider. “I also think that a lot of these guys have been playing together a long time, and we kind of understand that this is the most successful we’ve been, but it’s not where we want to end up.

“Those guys definitely help to bring that to the forefront, and understanding that we haven’t done all that much, in terms of where we want to go and what we want to do.”

Phoenix has a decent amount of experience, though that’s partly to do with team makeup. Comprised of veterans and journeymen, the Coyotes have 10 players over the age of 30 and four (Doan, Langkow, Aucoin and Whitney) over the age of 35.

You’d almost expect them to have plenty of playoff experience, though it’s interesting to note Aucoin and Doan have never made it this far before.