Game Thread: Rangers at Red Wings
The Blueshirts are right back at it tonight, still searching for their first win post-trade deadline
Coming off yet another loss — their fifth straight — to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, the New York Rangers are in Detroit tonight to take on the lowly Red Wings, themselves winless in their last eight matches.
Lias back in, Shattenkirk out, Smith drops back to defense, partnered with Skjei. DQ said there’s been some “slippage” in Shattenkirk’s play.
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinASteph) March 7, 2019
With the likelihood of a playoff berth well out of reach for both teams, pride — however foolish you think it — it would seem is the motivating factor for both clubs who are desperate to snap their respective losing streaks.
While losses certainly correlate to better drafting position this June, for young rebuilding teams, that’s no consolation for the demoralizing feeling of failing to win this often.
Nine points separate the teams in the Eastern Conference basement, with the Wings ahead of only the Ottawa Senators in points.
The Red Wings are 12-17-5 on home ice this season with a minus-45 goal differential. The Rangers, meanwhile, boast an 11-17-3 road record, and a minus-29 goal differential. Though the Blueshirts have, despite their losses of late, played in highly-competitive contests with some of the league’s elite clubs.
Dylan Larkin, who has 27 goals and 62 points in 65 games this season, is the surefire opposition player to watch. He’s scored one goal and three assists in his last five games and has ten points in his last ten appearances.
Please use this as your open thread for tonight’s game.