Coyote Tracks - Tuesday March 23 Edition

Ok, folks...I expect a big turnout tonight in the GDT to cheer on the Coyotes against the Chicago Blackhawks...winner takes over first in the Western Conference for the time being...and gets to face the Red Wings per the current standings...I'm not entirely sure that's what I want for a first round match-up, but let's worry about that at a later date...

Speaking of the Red Wings, they beat up on the Penguins last night, literally...I love how Sidney Crosby becomes a whiny bitch when he gets pushed around a lot.  I'm glad that the Red Wings, particularly Henrik Zetterberg and Jimmy Howard didn't just bow to Crosby's whims...

Video: Howard vs. Crosby, as Pens and Wings renew their rivalry - Puck Daddy - NHL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
That's 3 or 4 big cross checks that Crosby throws at Zetterberg, and a punch...I'm sure the NHL disciplinarians will "review" the incident...

Anyways, doesn't really affect the Coyotes...now yesterday I might've done a little nitpicking about the Coyotes' recent win streak...

Coyotes Win Nine Straight; Fans Start To Nitpick? - SB Nation
Travis Hughes calls me out for nitpicking after the Coyotes recent success...

As it turns out, Travis is probably right...I was nitpicking, and I am probably a bit spoiled by the recent success.  But as I said yesterday and as I said in the comments there, I just want the Coyotes to be ready for the postseason...I have little doubt that come the time Tippett will have us ready to go...

LAST NIGHT'S NHL SCORES:  PIT 1 - DET 3; OTT 2 - MTL 0; COL 3 - LAK 4 (OT)

After the jump, Coyotes get some major Power Rankings love, the NHL's head shot rule, some words of warning from Dallas fans and one of the best stories you will read this year...

Tippett's Coyotes Bring Memories of Springs Past to Dallas - Defending Big D
A look at Dave Tippett's playoff teams though the years.  The guys over at Defending Big D posted this in the comments yesterday, and there is a fair reason for concern.  But Tippett also led some of those Dallas teams to the Western Conference Finals, so it's not like he didn't have a clue what to do in the postseason...and he never had goaltending like he does right now with Ilya Bryzgalov and Jason LaBarbera.

The view from atop is magnificant | Pro Sports Blogging
It's good to be a Coyotes fan...for once....

Surprising Coyotes hit new heights: Take 5
HNIC's senior online reporter Tim Wharnsby dishes out the latest news, buzz and inside information in the hockey world, including the Phoenix Coyotes' stunning rise to the top of the Pacific Division, and the impressive play of prospects Jordan Eberle and Cody Hodgson.

Jerry Reinsdorf back in the Coyotes ownership picture? | Fanster.com - All Sports. All Phoenix.
Everybody loves a winner. Apparently even Jerry Reinsdorf. According to ESPN.com, the Chicago Whitesox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is back in the hunt to purchase the Coyotes - do you think Jerry Reinsdorf is back in the mix to buy the Coyotes?  I don't actually think he'd be a bad owner, although I'm worried about his past stance to want an out clause in case he is still losing money...and Ice Edge isn't concerned...

Ice Edge doubts Reinsdorf interest
Ice Edge CEO Daryl Jones says he doubts Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf wants to get back in the hunt for the Phoenix Coyotes. A report on "Hockey Night in Canada" says Reinsdorf is nudging aside Ice Edge, which has been negotiating for three months to buy the Coyotes.

VOTE: NHL FanHouse Assistant Coach of the Year -- NHL FanHouse
I don't know the exact roles of all the assistant coaches, but I think whatever awards we can give to all of our coaches is well deserved...

If Coyotes win Cup, does Bettman get his name on as owner? - Puck Daddy - NHL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
This is putting the cart before the horse, and I'm not even sure it is that interesting a question, but it does get the crazies out in force in the comments section...enter at your own risk...

Players Say Head Check Rule Needs Further Tweaking - Slap Shot Blog - NYTimes.com
The five players on the N.H.L. Competition Committee feel the general manager's proposal is a "band-aid" solution.

Brittanie's legacy | BlueJacketsXtra
The death of Brittanie Cecil still haunts the player whose shot flew into the stands (off Derek Morris' stick)...bring your Kleenex to this one, but it is probably the best written story I've linked to in the month I've been doing this...

Inside College Hockey
The College hockey championship tournament is beginning shortly and this site will give you just about everything you need to know...

For your whimsy on Tuesday...as some of you know, I am a big Philadelphia sports fan, and the Phillies recent success has been awesome in a way very similar to the Coyotes run this year (only with a World Series Championship thrown in).  Even I'm not sure I'd want this, though...but if I happened to win $120 in a college basketball tournament pool or something, I'd be awfully tempted...

Phillies Game Used Sod