Game #15: New York Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings Open Thread

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Game #15: New York Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings Open Thread
© Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The Rangers return to the road after a one-game stint at Madison Square Garden, where they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Rangers will look to keep up their strong play on the road, where they have a league-high six road wins. On the other hand, the Detroit Red Wings enter tonight's game with nine wins and five losses as they will look to continue their strong start to the season. While he has been out for some time now, Patrick Kane will return to the lineup for Detroit, where he was a point-per-game player before getting hurt.

The Blueshirts appear to be making some lineup changes, which include Adam Edström coming out of the lineup in favor of Jaroslav Chmelar, who will be making his NHL debut. Matthew Robertson will also be on the bottom pair with Urho Vaakanainen still out. Head coach Mike Sullivan has also shaken up the top six a bit and has introduced some changes to the third pair.

Player to Watch: Jaroslav Chmelar

As previously mentioned, Chmelar will be making his NHL debut tonight. Chmelar was a fifth-round pick for the team back in 2021. After being drafted, he would go on to play two seasons at Providence College, and after the 2023-24 season, he would come over to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Chmelar would then spend all of the 2024-25 season with Hartford and played in nine games this season before being recalled.

In 87 games with the Wolf Pack, Chmelar has netted 16 goals, 20 assists, and 26 points. Chmelar will get his first opportunity tonight to showcase if he can contribute at the NHL level.

Enjoy the game!

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