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New York Rangers Look To Continue Complete Team Effort Against Coyotes

By Patrick Comia

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The New York Rangers are back in action tonight, as they face the Arizona Coyotes in Madison Square Garden.

The team is coming off an impressive 4-0 win on Monday, and will look to build on their success over the San Jose Sharks.

In that game, fans saw a complete team effort from the boys in blue. They seem to have played as a team and minimized mistakes. The by-product: goal scoring from four different Rangers.

In addition, we saw some players playing with “edge” like Rick Nash and Marc Staal.

Especially in Nash’s case, the team needs his effort on MOnday on a consistent basis. He was wrecking ball that imposed his will on the Sharks. He seemed to be everywhere, except on the goal sheet. You have to believe the goals will come for Nash, but his overall play is what is needed.

Here are three things to watch for tonight:

1) The Return of the Duc

Much heralded rookie Anthony Dulair will make his debut as a member of the Coyotes, since being traded last season.

Oct 20, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Anthony Duclair (10) skates with the puck during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

And since that time, he has been on a tear scoring sevens points in six games this season. Duclair leads the team in goals with five, that includes a hat trick against the Anaheim Ducks last week.

The Rangers better be on guard, as the Duc will be seeking revenge on his former team on home ice, which should create an interesting storyline.

2) Can Arizona Yandle, Keith?

The man the Rangers go in return makes his Rangers debut against his former team.

Its been a mixed bag for Keith Yandle, during his time with New York.

Fans have seen the good and the bad with him. And though he hasn’t been tearing up the scoresheet with multiple goals, he has shown some improvement on the defensive side of the puck. However, it is still a work in progress.

The only question is: how much time does he have left as a Blueshirt? He is set to become a unrestricted free agent by season’s end.

But all that is for another time. Right now, it’s about taking it one game at a time for Yandle and the team. How will he respond tonight? We look for him to breakout and have one of his best games in a blue sweater.

3) Will the Rangers show up for the King?

It will be interesting to see how the Rangers play in front of Henrik Lundqvist tonight.

During their three-game winless streak, they scored only two goals in six periods of hockey. The power play was zero for 12, before last game’s score on the man-advantage. Lundqvist kept the team in each, keeping the score close.

Sep 30, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the third period against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden. New York Rangers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The team needs to give Lundqvist house-money, something to play with. Meaning putting up more than one goal, just to make his job easier. They were able to play well in front of backup goalie Antti Raanta, assisting in his Rangers shutout debut.

Read More: Rangers Offense Should Wake Up with Antti Raanta in Net

Why can’t the same be done for him?

The Rangers are the more experienced team taking the ice. Despite the breakout performances from Duclair and Max Domi and good goaltending from Mike Smith, New York has too much to be kept a lid tonight.

We look for continued success from the Blueshirts, much like what we saw last game.

Gameday Tweets compliments of @NYRangers:

Next: Antti-Hero Debut Ends New York Rangers Three-Game Winless Drought

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