The Phoenix Coyotes secured a 2-0 series lead on Sunday with a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators and now they just got some unexpected assistance from the Predators themselves heading into Wednesday's Game 3.
Predators right wings Andrei Kostitsyn and Alexander Radulov will not play in Game 3 due to a violation of team rules, according to a team press release.
Radulov, who returned shortly before the end of the regular season, has played poorly in the playoffs. He only had one shot on goal during Sunday's loss and talks of him being benched were swirling around. Though it is unknown what violation he committed, something seemed to be inevitable.
Kostitsyn has three goals and one assist in seven playoff games.
Losing both players hurts the Predators depth on the wings and further puts them on the ropes as the Coyotes look to put them in a 3-0 series hole.
For more on the Coyotes and their playoff run, visit Five For Howling.