The Detroit Red Wings open a home-and-home series with the New York Rangers this evening (7 PM EDT start on Bally Sports Detroit/MSG Network/NHL Network/97.1 FM), and the Rangers’ morning skate indicated that the Rangers will start Igor Shesterkin in goal, and that scrapper Matt Rempe will not play vs. Detroit.
Among the Hockey News’s Sam Stockton’s “What to watch for” items for tonight:
-Special teams were a major distinguishing factor in last year’s regular seasons series. The Red Wing power play went 2/14 across the three games (14.3%, down from the year long average of 23.1%), while the Ranger man advantage converted on three of its eight chances (37.5%, up from an already daunting season average of 26.4%). Throughout their recent push toward the top of the Eastern Conference (whether during Gerard Gallant’s tenure or in their present, Peter Laviolette-coached iteration), New York has never been a dominant five-on-five team. Instead, they rely heavily on special teams (and an elite power play in particular) to achieve results.
As Stockton notes, the Red Wings are likely to recall a veteran forward from Grand Rapids once Ville Husso clears waivers. It will most likely be a short-term recall as Christian Fischer (upper-body) is not going to be placed on the injured reserve list.
Here are a couple of notes from Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen as well:
This is a home-and-home series against the Rangers. Detroit and New York will meet again Thursday at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday
Red Wings Notes: Jeff Petry is officially day-to-day with an upper body injury, but he is expected to play. Christian Fischer is also day-to-day and won’t play. The Red Wings will call up someone this, probably a veteran, from Grand Rapids today. The Red Wings placed goalie Ville Husso on waivers Sunday to clear up some cap space for the call-up. Husso’s cap hit is $4.75 million. It’s unlikely he would be claimed.
Rangers Note: Coach Peter Laviolette has not yet named his starting goalie. Igor Shesterkin, who reportedly recently turned down a contract offer of $88 million over eight years, gave up six goals in his last outing. He shut out Pittsburgh 6-0 in New York’s opener. He has an .895 save percentage for his two outings. Jonathan Quick is his backup. Artemi Panarin is the team’s leading scorer with two goals, two assists, four points.
Anyway, the Red Wings hit the ice at Madison Square Garden at 11:30 AM:
DeBrincat-Larkin-Kane might be a pretty fun line to watch tonight for #LGRW pic.twitter.com/kJoMEMUncY
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 14, 2024
Patrick Kane’s first time playing at MSG since his time with #NYR
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 14, 2024
Do we see a “Thank you Patrick Kane” tribute tonight?
I’d say it’s -200. pic.twitter.com/HQ9mV4jrjS
Larkin eyeing up a corner 🥅 pic.twitter.com/V3QYXzQuMi
— Ken Kal (@KenKalDRW) October 14, 2024
Morning Skate at The World’s Most Famous Arena. @DetroitRedWings vs. @NYRangers tonight from @TheGarden. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/bqsCSfvnxg
— Jonathan Mills (@JonathanDMillsy) October 14, 2024
Morning skate at historic Madison Square Garden! If you could pick one past event to see over the years at MSG what would it be? I’ll start…Ali vs Frazier. pic.twitter.com/oxww1AW84J
— Ken Kal (@KenKalDRW) October 14, 2024
Alex Lyon in starter’s net for Red Wings morning skate at Madison Square Garden. Wings play Rangers 7 pm tonight. pic.twitter.com/IEDwFiI6IZ
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) October 14, 2024
Jeff Petry skating after leaving Thursday with U-B injury. pic.twitter.com/eUv5vxDlmB
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) October 14, 2024
Petry and Fischer still unavailable, so Austin Watson in the lineup tonight. Same defense corp as Saturday for Red Wings at Rangers. Alex Lyon starting.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) October 14, 2024
Behind the scenes at MSG pic.twitter.com/8KBqrM7Hmf
— Ken Kal (@KenKalDRW) October 14, 2024
Stupid Stat of the Day: The Red Wings are winless all-time in their third game of the season in seasons where they allow six or more goals in their first game and follow that up with a shutout in their second game.#LGRW #RedWingshttps://t.co/lDZ7QNDyY6 pic.twitter.com/qY4b112oED
— DetroitHockey.Net (@detroithockey96) October 14, 2024
Pretty wild: The Detroit Rangers, er, Red Wings have six former #NYR players on this year's roster- Andrew Copp, Erik Gustafsson, Patrick Kane, Tyler Motte, Cam Talbot and Vlad Tarasenko.
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) October 14, 2024
Feels like Tampa a few years ago. How many video tributes can they fit in one night?
Such a classic, clean and crisp jersey.
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 14, 2024
Love the @DetroitRedWings whites. pic.twitter.com/d3rZHU0zKD
Laviolette on Mika: "First game against Pittsburgh, I thought they were really good that line… Not talking about any one individual, but it was a little bit off the mark (Saturday) with regard to the way we defended… That line and he were out there for a few of those." #NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) October 14, 2024
The message from Laviolette is clear heading into tonight's game vs. Detroit: Tighten up defensively.
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) October 14, 2024
"It's another good test for us to calm things down, quiet things down, with regard to defense."#NYR
#NYR coach Peter Laviolette says nothing has changed with Ryan Lindgren’s status, but agreed it would be “beneficial” to see No. 55 in a full practice first.
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) October 14, 2024
Asked about Mika Zibanejad, Laviolette said his line was good against Pittsburgh but a little off the mark against Utah. He said it was a group effort but didn’t single anyone in particular out. He likes how that line is generating offensively but wants more defensively.
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) October 14, 2024
I think there is a mistake here. Kasper should be called up. I like Yzerman, but do not agree with everything.
We all feel that way about the GM, though some of us don’t say it. I don’t find myself in complete agreement with the coaching staff or managerial staff. I think it’s healthy to be skeptical of their moves at times.