Coyotes 1 - 2 Rangers
Final - 2OT
  for this game

Streaking Rangers play host to Coyotes

Jan 10, 2012 - 4:10 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Rangers eye a fifth straight win this evening when they host the Phoenix Coyotes at Madison Square Garden.

New York won for the ninth time in 10 games on Friday in Pittsburgh, as Henrik Lundqvist posted 37 saves to help the Rangers post a 3-1 win over the Penguins at CONSOL Energy Center.

Lundqvist also extended his winning streak to a career high-tying six games, posting a 1.17 goals against average, .964 save percentage and one shutout during the streak. He has held opponents to two goals or less in 20 games this season, including in nine of his last 10 contests, and is 16-4-1 with a 1.70 goals against average, .944 save percentage and two shutouts since Nov. 3 -- a span of 21 games.

"He's outstanding for us and is a big reason we are where we are right now," said New York head coach John Tortorella about Lundqvist.

Brandon Dubinsky had a goal and an assist while Brad Richards and Derek Stepan each scored a goal for the NHL-leading Rangers, who have registered at least one point in 25 of their last 31 games (23-6-2) and sit atop the Eastern Conference and the NHL with 56 points, three more than conference opponent Boston and one more than Western Conference-leading Vancouver.

This is also the latest the Rangers have led the Eastern Conference standings since the 1995-96 season, when New York held the top position through games played on March 15, 1996.

Richards, second on the team with 15 goals and 31 points, has been the offensive catalyst of late, as he has recorded three goals - two game-winners - and two assists during this four-game winning streak.

The Coyotes know full well how good Richards has been, as the winger beat them with a goal with one-tenth of a second remaining back on Dec. 17.

Phoenix, meanwhile, will be trying to make it two in a row tonight after pasting the Islanders on Saturday. Shane Doan recorded his first career hat trick and Mike Smith made 31 saves in the Coyotes' 5-1 win.

Doan's 305 goals coming into the game were second only to Scott Mellanby (319) for most scored by an NHL player without a hat trick. His 38 career two-goal games were also tied for the most in the NHL history without getting a third one.

"That would be hockey the hard way for Shane ... It's great to see. There was a lot of excitement on the bench the last five minutes of that game," Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett said. "There were a lot of players taking short shifts to get him back out there again. It's an exciting night."

Taylor Pyatt and Oliver Ekman-Larsson also lit the lamp for Phoenix, which snapped a two-game losing streak.

Tonight's contest marks the start of a three-game road trip for the Coyotes that will also see them visit Detroit and Columbus before returning home to face the Colorado Avalanche next Monday. They are 12-9-2 away from home this season.

Phoenix, though, has lost three straight and four of its last five at MSG.






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