Poor execution leads to Blueshirt beatdown: 'Yotes 5 Rangers 1

The Phoenix Coyotes almost finished off the Tri-State Trifecta. They didn't beat the Isles though. They did beat the division leading NJ Devils, and beat up on the Rangers earlier this evening at MSG. Although Rangers put out a decent effort, poor execution and defensive mistakes left backup Steve Valiquette hapless in tonights defeat. There was a new face in the lineup tonight. Steve Moore got the spot for Ryan Hollweg, as he was sitting out as a healthy scratch, to hopefully regain his game. Coach Renney said that he thought Hollweg was playing too cautious, and he needs to be like himself.

On to the game, it wasn't much to talk about from the Rangers side. The first Phoenix goal was a PP goal, that deflected off the skate of Fedor Tyutin , and through the five hole of Valiquette. The second and third goals were defensive mishaps that took the Rangers out of the game. The second goal was due to the miscommunication of rookie Marc Stall and Valiquette. The third goal, came off a slapshot from Radim Vrbata after Michal Rozsival was muscled off the puck, when he should have been protecting it. Marek Malik took Jason Strudwicks place as he was moved up to left wing. The Rangers should have just gone with 5 defenseman as Malik did his best at turning over the puck on numerous occasions.

All of this on the Great One's return to the Garden. Although, he had a touch of the flu and a case of Laryngitis, Gretzky mustered out some laughter and smiles after the win today.

"I don't know if it was revenge," Gretzky said. "They're a good team. Over 82 games, you're going to have games where it doesn't go your way. We got a couple lucky bounces and did some good things but I know the next game they play they'll be a much different team."

"It seems like it's fresh in my mind because I think about it a lot because I wish I could still play," Gretzky said. "Unfortunately I can't because I'm not good enough anymore. I remember the last day here. It's like it happened yesterday."

The next mountain to climb comes Tuesday when the Rangers host Sid the Kid and Co. as the Penguins visit MSG.