The Rangers snapped their three game losing streak last night with a convincing win over the Phoenix Coyotes. The Rangers came out strong, with a quick goal from Artem Anisimov to get the crowd into the game. The fourth line has been jump starting the Rangers lately, as Artem Anisimov is providing the scoring touch, regardless of which wingers play on his line. After that, it was the Marian Gaborik show.

Following a Matt Lombardi hooking call, the Rangers powerplay went to work. Brandon Dubinsky took the puck from Ales Kotalik, circled through the Phoenix zone, drawing a few defenders to him, and fed the puck to a wide open Gaborik, who buried the opportunity to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead through the first.

The Rangers broke it open in the beginning of the second, with Vinny Prospal burying a weak goal on Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, and Gaborik adding his second powerplay goal on an absolute howitzer to the top shelf, chasing Bryzgalov from the game.

The goalie change seemed to spark the Coyotes a bit, as they started an aggressive forecheck and gained control over the neutral zone. This led to two goals for the ‘Yotes, including a shorthanded goal, cutting the lead back to two goals at 4-2. The Rangers would not relinquish this two goal lead, as Enver Lisin ripped a shot past ex-Ranger Jason LaBarbera, securing the 5-2 victory.

This game was probably the most solidly played game for the Rangers in the past two weeks. It wasn’t perfect, as they slacked off a bit in the second period and allowed the ‘Yotes back into the game. But in the end, they were able to put an end to any comeback hopes and walk away with a well earned win.

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