In New York, Henrik Lundqvist got the start for the Rangers after sitting out three straight games and made 35 saves in a 5-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.
The win was a must after the Rangers yacked up a 6-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators Monday.
“I knew going into this year it would be a little different, I wouldn’t play as much,” Lundqvist said. “For me, throughout my entire career I’m looking to get into that flow where you don’t have to work as hard to prepare because you’re playing so many games and you’re just in it. That’s going to change. I just have to work a little harder to prepare. It’s new.”
Valtteri Filppula scored the lone goal for the Wings after the Rangers built a 3-0 lead.
Detroit broke out after the scramble for the puck below the Detroit goal line punched the puck to the high slot. Jacob Trouba lost his edge and two Wings broke in alone on Lundqvist.
The Rangers struck twice in three power play chances and added a shorthanded marker.
“Penalty kill and power play is going to be the difference a lot of nights,” Lundqvist said. “We know that. That’s why we continue to work on it in practice and talk before games. It’s such a big part of winning games and it’s nice when we take care of business like that.”
Tony DeAngelo and Artemi Panarin had a goal and assist apiece in the win.
“As you get older in your career there’s a lot of adjustments you have to make. [Lundqvist] is embracing it,” Rangers head coach David Quinn said. “He understands it. I’m sure he doesn’t love it. I’m sure he wants to play 65 or 70 games, and I wouldn’t want a goalie who doesn’t want to play 65 or 70 games. He’s a smart guy and he understands the changes and adapting as you move further in your career.”
Ryan Strome. Chris Kreider and Greg McKegg also struck for the Rangers.
“That’s Hank,” Kreider said. “As long as I’ve been here we’ve had, and I think we’ve probably taken it for granted, elite goaltending game in and game out, year in and year out. It’s a pleasure playing in front of him.”
Detroit is 1-11-1 in their last 13 games.
“We’ve got to get our specialty teams figured out,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “I thought our first kill was excellent and then they score with five seconds left, and it just crushed us. I thought our last kill was good. We’ve got to find a way to build off that last kill.”
[WATCH: All Red Wings vs. Rangers highlights]
Jimmy Howard made 26 saves in the loss.
“It’s frustrating. Call it what you want, it’s frustrating right now,” Dylan Larkin said. “It’s tough to find an answer when it’s night after night. We’ve tried different things, different lineups. Special teams tonight. Each night it seems like a different story.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.