Rangers vs. Red Wings: 3 things to watch for seeking sweep of season series
Seeking to rebound from a dismal 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres two days prior, the New York Rangers may have the perfect tonic for their ills when they visit the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena.
The Rangers have already defeated the Red Wings twice this season — 4-1 at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 14 and 5-2 in Detroit three nights later. They are 11-1-2 in their past 14 games against the Red Wings and look to finish off a sweep of their season series Saturday.
It’s not just the loss to the Sabres that should motivate the Rangers this weekend. They’re 3-3-0 in their past six games, outplayed in at least four of those contests. Thursday against the Sabres, the Rangers looked particularly slow, lost many key puck battles and were sloppy in their own end.
Coach Peter Laviolette will keep the lineup intact, though based on practice Friday it appears he’ll flip Chris Kreider and Will Cuylle, reuniting the latter with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko. Kreider will skate with Vincent Trocheck and Reilly Smith.
Jonathan Quick, who came on in relief of Igor Shesterkin midway through the 6-1 loss Thursday and allowed one goal, is expected to make the start in goal for the Rangers — his second in Detroit this season.
The Red Wings (6-6-1) come off a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. Captain Dylan Larkin extended his goal scoring streak to four games (five goals) and leads Detroit with nine in 13 games. Forwards Alex DeBrincat (five points; two goals, three assists) and Lucas Raymond (five assists) also have four-game point streaks.
Related: Why Peter Laviolette expects ‘pretty good response’ by Rangers against Red Wings
3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Red Wings
1. Push their agenda
In two sessions with the media since the Sabres game, Laviolette stressed that the Rangers need to push the attack offensively. He believes they’ve been too passive and too slow finding their offensive game of late. Simply, they’re not dictating how games are being played, and often find themselves back on their heels.
“We need to have more bite on our attack, more purpose for wanting the puck and wanting to play in the other end,” Laviolette explained Friday. “For me, that mindset of controlling the game and dictating the game, dictating the battles. All of those things will lead to a better game.”
Jumping out to a fast start, grabbing an early lead, as Reilly Smith pointed out Friday, would also help the Rangers establish their game offensively.
2. More Bread please
Through 12 games, Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers in goals (nine) assists (10) and points (19). He’s done his most damage against the Red Wings, with seven points in two games. He had three assists in the first meeting, and then a hat trick (and an assist) in the rematch in Detroit. He’s scored 15 goals and totaled 39 points in 24 career games against the Red Wings.
Panarin picked up his 800th NHL point Thursday, assisting on Cuylle’s third-period goal. No current undrafted player has that many points currently in the NHL. Since his NHL debut in 2015-16 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Panarin’s 800 points are fifth most in the League.
3. Reunited
The Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko line was New York’s most effective two-way line to begin the season. Together, they outscored opponents 9-0 5v5 when on ice together. Though Cuylle had a strong game Thursday, these forwards have not thrived since being separated a couple games ago. So, it makes perfect sense that Laviolette reunites them in Detroit on Saturday.
Whatever issues or stagnation Mika Zibanejad has at 5v5 playing with Kreider that led to each line being shaken up, shouldn’t come at the expense of the excellent chemistry Cuylle, Chytil and Kakko have. Though Chytil didn’t look great against the Sabres, it’s Kakko who appeared the most lost since the line was broken up.
Let’s see if they can pick up where they left off.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Panarin – Zibanejad – Lafreniere
Kreider – Trocheck – Smith
Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko
Edstrom – Carrick – Rempe
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Trouba
Jones – Schneider
Quick
Shesterkin
Rangers vs. Red Wings: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings
When: Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesar’s Arena
How to Watch: MSG
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results
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