NEW YORK RANGERS VS DETROIT RED WINGS GAME DAY PREVIEW

PRESENTED BY NY RANGERS

W2W4: Rangers vs. Red Wings 2.21.16

Who: New York Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings
Where: Madison Square Garden
When: Sunday night at 7:00 PM
Watch: NBCSN; post-game on MSG Network
Listen: ESPN-98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com
*******************************************
The Skinny:
It's another Original Six match up, presented by G.H. Bass and Co., Sunday night for the Rangers (33-19-6, 72 pts) who host the Detroit Red Wings (29-21-9, 67 pts) at Madison Square Garden. The Blueshirts are coming off a difficult-to-earn two points on the road with Thursday's 4-2 win in Toronto over the Maple Leafs, which was hot on the heels of Wednesday's 5-3 loss at home to the Chicago Blackhawks--New York's first regulation home defeat in 11 games (8-0-2). Overall the Rangers have won two of their last three, and are 6-1-1 in their last eight games, as they continue to hold on to second place in the Metropolitan Division. On home ice the Rangers own a terrific 21-6-3 record despite that loss to Chicago, with their 21 home wins tied for most in the Eastern Conference, and just one shy of the league leading Blackhawks who have 22. The Rangers will want to make the most of Sunday's contest at MSG since they will spend the rest of the week on the road--in New Jersey, St. Louis and Dallas. In fact five of the team's next six contests after Sunday come on the road, making Sunday's home tilt a pivotal one for the Blueshirts, who once again will be playing without team captain Ryan McDonagh, sidelined with a jaw contusion and neck spasms after absorbing a brutal, and illegal, hit from Toronto's Leo Komarov on Thursday. Rookie Dylan McIlrath takes McDonagh's spot in the lineup, while Keith Yandle can be expected to gobble up many of McDonagh's minutes just as he did when the Rangers captain was recently out four games with a concussion. The Rangers will also make a change up front where Daniel Paille was placed on waivers and will be replaced by a still-to-be-named forward call up from the Hartford Wolf Pack. What the Rangers hope doesn't change is the great chemistry J.T. Miller and Derick Brassard have shown for the past several weeks. Miller, Brassard and Mats Zuccarello combined for three goals and eight points in the win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday. Also the Rangers will hope to continue their recent success on the power play, where they have scored four times in the previous three games after a dreadful 2-for-50 slide. The Rangers will face a Red Wings team which is closing out a four-game road trip seeking it's first win. The Red Wings are 0-2-1 on the trip after losing a 3-2 shootout decision in Ottawa on Saturday--and Detroit is winless in its last five games on the road (0-4-1) in which it has been outscored 21-10. However on the season the Red Wings are a solid 14-10-3 on the road despite their recent struggles. Rookie Dylan Larkin, who leads Detroit with 19 goals, sat out Saturday's game with an illness, but is expected to play against the Rangers. The Red Wings will be without injured defenseman Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson, and forwards Drew Miller and Johan Franzen, on Sunday. Since Petr Mrazak started in goal Saturday, the Rangers can likely expect to see Jimmy Howard between the pipes for Detroit, while Henrik Lundqvist is back in goal for the Rangers.
Head To Head:
Even though nearly three-quarters of the 2015-16 season has passed, the Rangers and Red Wings are just beginning their three-game season series Sunday, with a tilt in Detroit to follow on March 12 and the two teams closing out the regular season schedule at Madison Square Garden on April 9. In recent years when the Rangers and Red Wings face off with one another it is more than likely that whoever wins will do so by a one-goal margin, and quite often in overtime. Seven of the last eight games between these two teams--and ten of the last 12--have been decided by one goal, with four of the last seven needing overtime to decide a winner. Last year the Rangers were 1-1-1 against the Red Wings as all three contest were decided by a single goal and two of the games went to overtime. In the lone game played at MSG, the Rangers skated to a 4-3 OT victory on November 5, 2014 after Detroit's Tomas Tatar scored with 7.7 seconds remaining in regulation to tied the game and force the extra session. Ultimately the game was won on a Derick Brassard power play goal in overtime. Brassard and Rick Nash led the Rangers with three points apiece during the 2014-15 season series with Detroit.
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Derick Brassard: He has reached 20 goals for the first time in his eight-year NHL career, and it appears that Derick Brassard has no plans of stopping any time soon. Brassard enters play Sunday on a three-game goal-scoring streak--with four goals and five points in total--and he currently leads the Rangers with a career-high 22 goals on the season. His previous high of 19 was set last season when he also established a career-best with 60 points. Right now with 24 games remaining on the schedule, Brassard has 45 points, just 15 shy of his career-high. So all in all it's been another solid year for the Rangers popular 28 year-old center, though especially in the past month. Since a career-best five-point explosion on January 25 against the Sabres, Brassard has tallied 14 points (7-7-14) in ten games. Recently he has helped reignite the dormant Rangers power play, too, netting power play goals in each of the past two contests, giving him five on the season, tied for most on the club. Against Detroit Brassard has recorded at least one point in ten of his last 12 games, scoring overtime-winning goals in each of the last two seasons against the Red Wings.
Red Wings-Brad Richards: No longer the top-six forward who is the linchpin to his team's offensive success, former Rangers Brad Richards still plays an important role with the Detroit Red Wings, just as he did a year ago in helping the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup. Accepting fewer minutes while providing leadership on and off the ice, as well as a presence on the power play and knack for timely scoring, the 35 year-old Richards has appeared in 44 games this season, recording 19 points (6-13-19). Nearly half of his points--nine--have come on the power play, a source of many of his career points with the Rangers, Stars and Lightning in earlier years. Richards had gone nine games without a goal, but he scored an unassisted goal Saturday against the Senators, giving him six points (1-5-6) in his last ten contests. A year ago he captured his second Stanley Cup ring--the first coming with Tampa Bay in 2004--after a 37-point regular season with the Blackhawks. That, of course, followed his three seasons in New York where he played an integral part--on and off the ice--in helping the Rangers develop into a winning organization and a yearly Stanley Cup contender. That is the reason why one can expect Richards to receive a warm welcome Sunday night at The Garden, and for whatever future visits he will make with opposing clubs before he retires. In his first game back at MSG after leaving the Rangers, Richards scored the game-winning goal last season in a Blackhawks 1-0 victory.

Rangers vs. Red Wings 2.21.16: Pregame Notes

NEW YORK RANGERS vs. DETROIT RED WINGS

Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, 7:00 p.m. ET

Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

Rangers: 33-19-6 (72 pts)

Red Wings: 29-20-9 (67 pts)* 

TONIGHT'S GAME

The Rangers play their 59th game of the 2015-16 season tonight, Feb. 21, against the Detroit Red Wings in an Original Six matchup at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: NBCSN; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). The Blueshirts are in second place in the Metropolitan Division and third place in the Eastern Conference. New York has won six of its last eight games (6-1-1), seven of its last 10 games (7-2-1), and nine of its last 13 games (9-3-1). The Rangers have earned at least one point in 16 of their last 23 games (14-7-2), including 15 of their last 21 games (13-6-2) and 14 of their last 19 games (12-5-2). The Blueshirts enter the contest with a 33-19-6 record this season (72 points).

RANGERS VS. RED WINGS

• All-Time*: 215-261-103-2 (139-94-57-0 at home; 76-167-46-2 on the road) *Note: Record includes games against the Detroit Cougars from 1926-27 - 1928-29 and the Detroit Falcons from 1930-31 - 1931-32
• 2015-16: Tonight's game is the first of three meetings between the Rangers and Red Wings, and the first of two meetings between the two teams at MSG. Following tonight's game, the Rangers and Red Wings will face off against each other on the following dates: Mar. 12 (at Detroit), Apr. 9 (at MSG). 
• 2014-15: The Rangers posted a 1-1-1 record (1-0-0 at home; 0-1-1 on the road) against Detroit. Each of the three contests was decided by one goal, and two of the three games were decided in overtime. Derick Brassard and Rick Nash tied for first among all skaters with three points in the season series.
• The Rangers have earned at least one point in six of their last seven games against the Red Wings, dating back to Mar. 21, 2012 (5-1-1).
• The Blueshirts have won each of their last four home games against the Red Wings, dating back to Mar. 21, 2012.
• Five of the last 10 contests between New York and Detroit, including four of the last seven games and two of the last three games between the two teams, have been decided in overtime.
• Ten of the last 12 games between the Rangers and Red Wings, including seven of the last eight games between the two teams, have been decided by one goal.

RANGERS-RED WINGS CONNECTIONS

• Brad Richards played three seasons with the Rangers (2011-12 - 2013-14). During his tenure with the Blueshirts, Richards tied a franchise record for game-winning goals in one season (nine; 2011-12) and helped the Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14.
• Ulf Samuelsson played part of one season with the Red Wings (1998-99).
• Red Wings Assistant Coach Tony Granato began his NHL career with the Rangers and played parts of two seasons with the team (1988-89 - 1989-90). Granato holds the Rangers record for most goals in a season by a rookie (36; 1988-89).
• Henrik Lundqvist, Henrik Zetterberg, and Niklas Kronwall were all teammates with Team Sweden in three Winter Olympic Games (2006, 2010, 2014). Lundqvist, Zetterberg, and Kronwall helped Sweden capture a gold medal in 2006 and a silver medal in 2014.
• Dan Boyle and Brad Richards were teammates with the Lightning for parts of six seasons (2001-02 - 2007-08) and helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup in 2003-04.
• Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, and Brendan Smith were all teammates at the University of Wisconsin for two seasons (2008-09 - 2009-10). McDonagh and Smith were teammates for three seasons (2007-08 - 2009-10).

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. RED WINGS

• Henrik Lundqvist - 8 GP, 4-3-1, 2.36 GAA, .927 SV%, 2 SO - Lundqvist enters the contest with a personal four-game winning streak against the Red Wings, dating back to Mar. 21, 2012 (0.98 GAA, .967 SV%, 2 SO over the span).
• Derick Brassard - 31 GP, 7-10-17 - Brassard has tallied a point in 10 of his last 12 games against Detroit (four goals, seven assists).
• Keith Yandle - 24 GP, 5-9-14 - Yandle has recorded 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in his last 17 contests against the Red Wings.

WINNING WAYS

The Rangers rank second in the NHL in wins (10) and are tied for second in the NHL in points (21) since Jan. 16 (10-4-1 record over the span). The Blueshirts lead the Eastern Conference in wins and points during the stretch.

HOME COOKING

The Rangers have earned at least one point in 12 of their last 14 home games (10-2-2), including 10 of their last 11 home games (8-1-2). New York has posted a 20-5-2 record in its last 27 home games. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 23 of their last 28 home games (20-5-3) and in 24 of 30 home games in 2015-16 (21-6-3). New York ranks second in the NHL in points (45) and is tied for second in the NHL in wins (21) at home this season.

HIGH FIVE

The Rangers have posted a plus-35 goal differential at 5-on-5 this season (119 goals for; 84 goals against). The Blueshirts rank second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 in 2015-16 (Washington leads the NHL; plus-38).

ON POINT

Blueshirts defensemen have registered 118 points (27 goals, 91 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 61 points (15 goals, 46 assists) over the last 29 games. The Rangers are one of two NHL teams that have six defensemen who have recorded 11 or more points this season (along with Carolina).

GOALS GALORE

The Rangers rank fifth in the NHL in goals per game this season (2.88). New York has posted a 29-5-3 record when registering three or more goals in 2015-16.

TWO GOOD

The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in six of the last eight games, in 13 of the last 23 games, and in 33 games this season. New York has posted a 28-3-2 record when allowing two goals or fewer in 2015-16.

THIRD PERIOD IS THE CHARM

The Rangers have tallied at least one goal in the third period in each of their last 10 games, including two or more goals in the third period in seven of those contests (19 goals in the third period over the span). New York ranks third in the NHL in third period goals this season (70).

AV SQUAD

Alain Vigneault enters tonight's game tied with Brian Sutter for 18th place on the NHL's all-time games coached list (1,028). Vigneault is also tied with Herb Brooks for seventh place on the Rangers' all-time wins list among head coaches (131).

A STAR ON BROADWAY

Henrik Lundqvist was selected as the NHL's Second Star of the Week for the week ending on Feb. 14. Lundqvist posted a 3-0-0 record, along with a 0.67 GAA, a .976 SV%, and 1 SO in three appearances during the week, and he was selected as the game's First Star in all three contests. Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 14 of his last 20 appearances, including 12 of his last 16 appearances and 11 of his last 14 appearances. He has posted an 11-4-1 record, along with a 1.98 GAA, a .927 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 16 appearances, as well as a 10-4-0 record, along with a 1.84 GAA, a .932 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 14 appearances.

IT'S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller established single-game career-highs with three assists and three points on Feb. 18 at Toronto. Miller ranks fifth in the NHL in goals since Jan. 16 (nine) and is tied for 10th in the NHL in goals since Dec. 12, 2015 (13). He has recorded a goal in seven of the last 15 games (nine goals), including six of the last 13 games (eight goals). Miller leads the Rangers in goals (13) and plus/minus rating (plus-15), and is tied for second in points (22) over the last 28 games (since Dec. 12, 2015). 

BRASS BONANZA

Derick Brassard enters the contest with a three-game goal streak, which is tied for his career-high. He has tallied 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) and has posted a plus-11 rating in the last 10 games. Brassard has established a career-high - and leads the Rangers - in goals this season (22). He has recorded 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) and a plus-19 rating in 29 games at MSG in 2015-16.

TOO HOT TO YANDLE

Keith Yandle enters the contest with a five-game assist/point streak (five assists over the span). He has notched a point in 31 of 58 games this season, and he leads the Rangers in games with a point. Yandle also leads the Blueshirts in assists (29) in 2015-16.

WELCOME MATS

Mats Zuccarello has tallied an assist/point in six of the last eight games (two goals, nine assists) and he has posted a multi-point game in three of the last four contests (two goals, five assists). Zuccarello has registered all of his 20 goals and 42 of his 46 points this season when the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were tied in the contest. In addition, 41 of Zuccarello's team-leading 46 points in 2015-16 have either been a goal or a primary assist.

STEP-AN UP

Derek Stepan has tallied seven points (four goals, three assists) in the last five games and has posted a multi-point game in three of the last four contests (four goals, two assists). Stepan has recorded 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in the last 19 games, including 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in the last 15 contests.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 1-for-3 (4:58) on Feb. 18 at Toronto.
• The Rangers have recorded a PPG in four consecutive games (5-for-10; 50.0%).

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 5-for-5 (10:00) on Feb. 18 at Toronto.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Dan Boyle - 2 points away from 600 in his NHL career
• Marc Staal - 3 games away from 600 in his NHL career 

INJURIES (57 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

·         Rick Nash (bone bruise; injury suffered on Jan. 22) - week-to-week

·         Ryan McDonagh (jaw contusion/neck spasms; injury suffered on Feb. 18) - day-to-day

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

·         None

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

·         Feb. 20, 1989 – Tony Granato registered two goals, including his 34th of the 1988-89 season, breaking Mark Pavelich’s single-season franchise record for goals by a rookie. Granato’s two goals led the Rangers to a 7-4 win against the New Jersey Devils at MSG.

·         Feb. 21, 1981 – Don Maloney tallied a hat trick in a span of 2:30, establishing a Rangers record for the fastest three goals scored by one player. Maloney’s hat trick led the Rangers to a 6-4 win against the Washington Capitals at MSG.