3 things to watch for when Rangers host Red Wings in first of home-and-home set

The first Original Six matchup of 2024-25 is also the first of a home-and-home set between the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
This is the 606th all-time meeting between the teams, and first of two this week, with the Rangers traveling to Detroit for a rematch Thursday at Little Caesars Arena. The Rangers are 229-264-9 with 103 ties all-time against the Red Wings, but 9-1-2 in their past 12 meetings.
The Rangers are 1-0-1 to begin the 2024-25 season, coming off a wild 6-5 overtime loss in their home opener Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club. Artemi Panarin had two goals in the defeat and leads New York with four points.
The Red Wings (1-1-0) are coming off a 3-0 win against the Nashville Predators after a dreadful 6-3 loss on opening night to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Former Rangers goalie Cam Talbot made 42 saves in his first Red Wings start to earn his 32nd NHL shutout Saturday.
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3 things to watch for when Rangers host Red Wings

1. Back to basics
After aborting their structure to play run-and-gun hockey with Utah over the weekend, expect the Rangers to tighten up against the Red Wings. Adm Fox noted that Utah seems to thrive on chaos and wide-open hockey, and the Rangers were sucked into it Saturday, though they did settle down in the third period.
The Rangers had some early defensive gaffes early on against the Penguins, too, but imposed their will in an eventual 6-0 win. Chris Kreider noted that the Rangers have hung goalie Igor Shesterkin out to dry too often in the first two games.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette was clear where he stands in his pregame comments Monday.
“It’s another good test for us to calm things down, quiet things down, with regard to defense,” Laviolette said.
2. Rangers reunion
The Red Wings have three former Rangers on their roster, including defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who returns to New York for the first time since signing a two-year, $4 million contract with Detroit on July 1. The defenseman played 76 games with the Rangers and had 31 points (six goals, 25 points) last season. He’s been replaced by Zac Jones on the third pair.
Gustafsson is off to a rocky start in Detroit. After posting an assist and a minus-2 rating in the season opener, Gustafsson was a healthy scratch against the Predators.
Talbot, of course, began his NHL career with the Rangers and played in the NHL All-Star Game last season as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. He relieved Ville Husso on opening night and then was outstanding in his first start against the Predators.
The Red Wings also have Vladimir Tarasenko. The two-time Stanley Cup champion is on his third team after leaving New York following the 2022-23 season, when he was acquired before the trade deadline. Tarasenko, it should be noted, scored the series-winning goal for the Florida Panthers against the Rangers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final last spring.
Then there’s Patrick Kane and Andrew Copp, each of whom played briefly for the Rangers. Kane, by the way, is searching for his first point of the season.
3. Third-line consistency
It’s only two games into the new season, but the Rangers’ third line of Will Cuylle, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko has looked really good, so far. That line has dominated puck possession and scoring chances against the opposition, and each player is a team-leading plus-4 through two games.
Cuylle is tied for second on the Rangers with three points (one goal, two assists) and been a huge physical presence, though he’s already been penalized twice for goalie interference. Chytil has one goal and Kakko is tied for third on the Rangers with six shots on goal.
This threesome has been a handful on the forecheck and equally responsible defensively. Let’s see if they can fill the net Monday.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Kreider – Zibanejad – Smith
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko
Edstrom – Carrick – Brodzinski
Miller – Fox
Schneider – Trouba
Jones – Mancini
Shesterkin
Quick
Check back for updates after Rangers coach Peter Laviolette meets with the media Monday morning.
Rangers vs. Red Wings: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers Detroit Red Wings
Where: Madison Square Garden
When: Monday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. ET
How to Watch: MSG
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results
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