Rangers at Coyotes…It’s Go Time!

Game 38

Rangers at Coyotes – 9:00 PM MSG

The Rangers go back out on the road after their come from behind win against Ottawa by traveling the desert.  They were not playing well heading into the break and started slow against the Senators before grinding out a come from behind win. It will be interesting to see how they come out of the gate tonight.

Tonight’s review is being provided by longtime bonehead Scottsdale Ranger, who will be attending in person.  True story: one of my best friends moved to Arizona last year.  He is in town this week just for the holidays. So not only is he missing the Rangers in Arizona, the one time they will be there this year, they will be out on the road the entire time he’s in New York.  Poor guy.

This is the first official Go Time thread since Game 30 against the Blackhawks. Clearly, this is a HAV.

Tonight’s possible lineup for the Rangers (20-9-1):

Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello

Jimmy Vesey-Kevin Hayes-Michael Grabner

JT Miller-Oscar Lindberg-Jesper Fast

Matt Puempel-Marek Hrivik-Brandon Pirri

Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Klein

Marc Staal-Nick Holden

Brady Skjei-Dan Girardi

The big news, of course, is the continuing flu for Henrik Lundqvist.  Antti Raanta gets another start in his absence, with Henrik Lundqvist as the backup.  Also of note is Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein having their spots in the lineup swapped.  There was a shot chart in my tweets from earlier today that demonstrates that the Rangers are struggling on right defense.  Girardi has looked especially bad lately, but I’m curious why recent standout Nick Holden didn’t get the promotion to McDonagh, instead.

Rick Nash is getting closer to returning.  There are still no definitive timetables on Buchnevich or Zibanejad, who skated today without equipment.

For the Coyotes (11-19-5), the story is still about goals, or the lack thereof.  Averaging only 2.11 on the season, they have scored a mere 27 in their last 15 games.  So, in typical Rangers fashion, they should score 10 tonight.  As an aside, former Ranger Anthony Duclair is 2-4-6 in 32 games.

Don’t forget to tell everyone you know and to follow me on Twitter @rangersreport2. And don’t forget to vote for your three stars after the game!

254 thoughts on “Rangers at Coyotes…It’s Go Time!”

  10. Lots of blue shirts in the expensive seats in Glendale. I have been there, and the Fila Monster arena is a nice place to see a game. Problem is that it is so far from the majority of the population there.

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  16. We were wrong on Holden in off season. didn’t get point on first goal but his presence in front contributed

    kudos to Gorton for his off season. also Grabner and Vesey

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  18. Since, being cynical, I find it hard to believe that Rangers became so good overnight, I must assume that Coyotes Ugly is a really bad team. No pity, though…

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  44. Dingbats lol.

    Jt Miller’s burst around the net and pass was excellent, but it IS Arizona.

    Carp, when are you gonna do a review? Miss them!

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  76. Headzo – switch to Dish, make a wish, eat a fish, listen to phish, Nixon trish

    Boyeeeeeeeeee

    Plus I get some kind of reward for recommending yo azz

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  98. I love her weekday, each velvety cheek day.

    The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand or so I’ve been told.

    Big bottom, big bottom, talk about mud flaps, my girls got ‘Em

    How could I leave this behind?

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  105. In those games. when dominate, you legitimately should score a bunch, otherwise you would swallow a couple funny bounced goals from few rare shots of opposition and will keep that surprised look on your face on the way to airport about lost game.

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  119. Sex farm woman, I’m gonna mow you down
    Sex farm woman, I’ll rake and hoe you down
    Sex farm woman, don’t you see my silo rising high?

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  138. The skjel jinx continues…Girardi now the whipping boy. I wonder what the common denominator is with all the d men whipping boys over the course of the season….hmmm
    –
    Not everyone bagged on Holden. There were a few knowledgeable posters who called it correctly.

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  150. RR2 I have enjoyed this HAV and can’t thank you enough for giving all the loyal followers of Carp a place to go during his forced absence. With that being said, the best news I have heard in a while is that Carp will be back giving reviews in 2017. Thank you to all the boneheads for making this the “Go To” site for the true diehard Ranger fans and I look forward to following all of you on Carps new site.

    Carp – I hope that you have found yourself a nice position that works and pays well for you and your family and I am looking forward to your game reviews in 2017.

    Like

  162. Now, of course, Smith will become a Great China Wall and Rangers desperate out of missing opps will start trying too hard making a mistake after mistake. Familiar scenario…

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