TV: FSN-ARIZONA

Radio: XTRA 910 AM

We need to get the young guns going early… Boedker, Mueller and Hanzal will be dangerous enough, under Tippett’s new system, to be key factors in getting good scoring opportunities.

We are seriously competent 5 on 5. We are seriously at a disadvantage right now when we get PIM issues.  Apparently Scottie Upshall has been given the ’stay out of the box or you’ll sit on the bench’ talk by Tippett (and has felt the sitting punishment already in the later portion of the Kings game). I think we’ll see a much more careful Uppy this game. We do have to stay out of the box though. One of our worst areas last game was the PK. *lookin at you Kurt!* I know it is early and folks aren’t all the way up to speed yet so I won’t be pissy about this problem yet.

Hopefully Bryzzie can get some serious rebound control going, the Pens are notorious for those 3rd n 4th attempt scoring opportunities. We definitely can’t afford to leave anthing juicy around for Syd or Geno to swipe at (especially that stupid sliding on your butt highlight thing Syd practices every day to make teams look completely inept)

The keys to a Coyotes victory will be scoring by committee again (its fine for Vbrat to lead the way but every body has to contribute… one man cannot do it all). Watch for Lombo, Mueller, Uppy, Vrbata and Doan to set fire to the rubber all night. It’d be sweet to see Jovo find his scoring touch early and heat up the blueline contributions.

Another key will be the forwards continuing to harrass the crap out of everyone attempting to enter our zone. This was a big key to the Kings victory. The Pens are too dangerous to just skate around with a puck. They have their own speedsters, we’ll have to hope Tip gets his matchups so that his system can operate well. Tip stresses an aggressive forecheck and constant/consistent back pressure. Forcing turnovers and creating odd man rushes could become SOP for this new Coyotes team. Hopefully Hanzal will have a great time containing Malkin, he’s certainly made Thornton’s life a misery, may he be just as successful with Geno.

We are dangerous because we are fast and tenacious, hopefully teams continue to underestimate just how fast we are for a long time. Our improvement in the face off circles has already resulted in increased puck possession and apparently we have figured out that if we’ve got the dang biscuit, we should try stuffing it in the basket. Look for Fleury to have an aggravating night.

I’m torn… it’d be sweet to set some tongues wagging, beating the current Cup holders would certainly do that. Back to back wins against the flightless birds (and especially in their own barn)would be a bold announcement that we are here and ignoring us would be hazardous to your post season dreams. On the other hand, it could be to our advantage to continue to roll under the radar ( catching as many teams as possible unprepared, could give us a nice cushion for those lean times when we can’t buy a goal). Of course I’m all for the bold statement. It would be fun watching all those who have written us off due to the summer bedlam, try to retain their credibility while they scramble to find reasons why they always knew we could do it.

Its US against the world!

As always… Go Coyotes!