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Adrian Aucoin Update: Coyotes Defenseman Game-Time Decision For Game 2

(SB Nation) – Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Adrian Aucoin missed Game 1 of the Western Conference Final and he’s a game-time decision for Game 2, according to a report from NHL.com.

Aucoin hasn’t played since Game 5 of the Conference Semifinals against the Nashville Predators back on May 7. He left that game in the first period, but returned to practice for the first time on Monday.

Should Aucoin return to the lineup, he’ll likely replace David Schlemko on defense. Schlemko played just under 11 minutes in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings, the fewest on the team, and was on the ice for one goal-against. Aucoin’s presence on the blue line could be a partial answer to the challenge of stopping Los Angeles’ top line of Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams, a trio that dominated puck possession in Game 1.

The 38-year-old has played more Stanley Cup Playoff games than any other Coyotes player not named Ray Whitney.

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