Oasis in the Desert: Phoenix Coyotes Aim for Another Franchise Record

Records were meant to be broken.

That phrase might as well be the motto for the Phoenix Coyotes this season.

The Coyotes have shattered records throughout this season—back in December, the Coyotes set a franchise record with 10 wins in the month, and the last of those victories was also their 10th straight at home going back to Nov. 21.

While Phoenix will not be able to attempt 10 wins in February due to the Olympics, the Coyotes are on the verge of adding another record to their impressive resume this season.

With a win against the Dallas Stars tonight, the Coyotes would win their seventh straight game.

They haven’t won seven straight games since the 2006-07 season.

The way the Coyotes are playing right now, they could break the franchise record on Monday, when they return home to face the Edmonton Oilers.

The Coyotes haven't lost since Jan. 23, when they fell to the Washington Capitals, who are setting a franchise record of their own as well as an NHL record for consecutive victories, at 13 so far.

After losing to the Capitals, Phoenix went on to defeat the Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and Chicago Blackhawks.

The Western Conference is so strong this season that the Coyotes' 75 points would be good for second in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Coyotes play in the West, where they have the third-best record, putting them two points ahead of the division rival Los Angeles Kings for fourth place.

The Coyotes are just four games behind the Pacific Division-leading San Jose Sharks for not just the best record in the division but the best record in the conference.

Who would have thought that a team from Arizona whose future there is in doubt would be in the running for the best record in the Western Conference? The Coyotes are 17 points over .500 for the first time in franchise history.

It is no surprise that the Coyotes' ratings are up way up from last year’s average. According to Nielsen Media Research, ratings for the Coyotes telecast on FOX Sports Arizona are up 50 percent over their ratings for last season.

Hockey is surviving in the desert as the Coyotes look continue to shatter more records with 24 games remaining before the start of the second season in the NHL, the playoffs.