Game #26: New York Rangers (11-9-4 26 pts) at Detroit Red Wings (15-6-5 35 pts) Game Preview

Matchup: Rangers vs Red Wings 
Location: Joe Louis Arena
Time: Saturday 7:00 
Broadcast: The game will be on MSG Network with the pregame coverage starting at 6:30 
ESPN 98.7 will have the radio call as well 


Preview:

After a long four day break between games, the Rangers return to the ice to face off against a tough Detroit Red Wings team in Hockeytown. The Rangers will have to play with some grit after a 6-3 thrashing at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rangers ..... I mean Lightning. The Rangers will start goalie Cam Talbot in place of Lundqvist after a poor performance vs Tampa Bay. The Rangers will also scratch Anthony Duclair and John Moore, as Dan Boyle returns to the lineup. The Rangers will need to come out aggressive and challenge a hot Detroit team early in the game. The Red Wings are coming off a 5-2 win vs the Dallas Stars on Thursday. This should help the Rangers, as the older team will be tired and a younger Ranger team has had a long week to prepare for their opponent.

Key Players: 

                                            

Rangers- Chris Kreider, Winger 
Kreider has been on some what of a cold streak, as he has not scored in his last 10 games and has only produced 3 assists in that span. The Rangers need increased production from everyone and a game against an older Detroit team should be a coming out party for Kreider. I will look for Kreider's speed and strength to play a huge factor in helping to wear out the older Red Wings forwards.

Rangers- Ryan McDonagh, Defenseman
Saturday's game will be the captain's third since returning from a dislocated shoulder vs the Winnipeg Jets on November 1st. He, along with his fellow defenders, have struggled but this can be a good game to flip the script. Detroit is an older team and McDonagh will be paired with Dan Boyle after Boyle returns from the flu. This will surely help McDonagh, as he is back with another top line defenseman. This game should help McDonagh and the Rangers as they try to rebound from a tough loss.

Red Wings- Pavel Datsyuk, Forward
The great Pavel Datsyuk will be in the lineup against the Rangers and this is some bad news for the Rangers. Datsyuk is a legend and a great goal scorer. He is second in the NHL with 19 points and is behind Rick Nash, among others, with 11 goals. He is a very dangerous player, as he has been throughout his career. The Rangers should look for Datsyuk to work the puck around until he gets to his spot to rip a shot on the power play. Datsyuk is hard to stop but the Rangers can slow him down and that is needed for a win tonight.


Predictions
I predict a tough, hard fought game, as the depths of both teams will be tested. The Rangers will need to come out with at least a point, as anything will help with the confidence of the team. The Red Wings are a veteran team who will look to take it to the Rangers early and often. The Red wings will be playing their second game in three days and this should help the Rangers, as the Red Wings will be fatigued. After four days off, the Rangers should be well rested and prepared for a tough game. I predict a 3-2 Rangers win in overtime and it will be a great plane trip back to the Garden to play the Penguins on Monday.