12/17/11 Rangers vs. Phoenix Coyotes

I remember my first beer.

Rangers against the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Rangers and Coyotes meet for their lone matchup of the season tonight in the desert, as the Rangers look to rebound from two brutal losses against Dallas and St. Louis. The Rangers lost their game in Dallas in the dying minutes of the game, and did not appear to show up at all during their match with St. Louis where they lost 4-1. The cure for jump in the game of the Rangers is unknown, but it could happen tonight as they take on the streaky Coyotes. A shade of good news for the Rangers is big man Mike Rupp has a possibility of returning to the lineup tonight after sitting out the past few games with a knee injury. One thing that Ranger fans seem hell-bent on is the fact that Sean Avery should be in the lineup. When Avery was recalled to the lineup earlier this year, the Rangers went on a rampage, and won a lot more games than they lost. Normally, I'd be an advocate for putting out the best players on the ice, but for some reason, it seems like the team does well with Avery in the lineup. I cannot explain why, but for some reason, it works. I, myself, would like to see Avery given one more chance to prove himself.



The Coyotes have been an on-and-off team this season. They win a few, and then they lose a few. The consistency that they've had the past two season seems to have left with the departure of their mast of the universe goalie in Ilya Bryzgalov when he was dealt to the Flyers this summer. Mike Smith has not been up on the same caliber with the teams that the Coyotes have faced as of late, and it has cost the team some wins.

The Diagnosis


Last year, the Rangers beat the Coyotes in the shootout in their only meeting of last year. This year, despite their recent goal drought, the Rangers are a better prepared team. They have more weapons, and a better foundation for success. The Coyotes have too many holes to plug, and I think the Rangers will come out prepared to win tonight.

The Prediction


Rangers win 4-2

Brad Richards will get the initial goal for the Rangers in the 1st period.
Ryan Callahan will get the second Rangers goal also in the 1st.
Martin Hanzal will get the first Coyotes goal late in the 1st.
Dan Girardi will get third Rangers goal in the 2nd period.
Radim Vrbata will pull the Coyotes within one in the 3rd.
And finally, Brandon Dubinsky will seal the victory for the Rangers with an empty netter.

Enjoy the game!