Detroit Red Wings vs Ny Rangers Rangers Picks and Predictions November 9th 2024

Rangers Aim to Complete Season Sweep of Red Wings After Setback

The New York Rangers will look to rebound quickly from a humbling loss as they face the Detroit Red Wings in a quest to complete a season sweep on Saturday night in Detroit. Despite the recent setback, the Rangers have shown dominance over the Red Wings this season and are aiming to bounce back with a strong road performance.

Rangers Seeking Redemption After Stinging Loss

New York heads into Saturday’s matchup licking its wounds following a disappointing 6-1 home defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. The Rangers were outplayed from start to finish, surrendering four goals in a disastrous second period that sealed their fate.

“We were soft on pucks, giving them way too many easy chances, leaving the goalies out to dry,” defenseman Ryan Lindgren said post-game. “From top to bottom, it was not good enough.”

Despite having four days of rest after a convincing win over the New York Islanders last Sunday, the Rangers looked sluggish and unprepared. Head coach Peter Laviolette was critical of the team’s lack of offensive aggression.

“I’m disappointed that we didn’t generate more,” Laviolette said. “We didn’t go after them; we didn’t attack them enough.”

The lone highlight of the night for the Rangers was Artemi Panarin reaching a milestone by notching his 800th career point with an assist on New York’s only goal. Panarin remains one of the league’s top offensive threats and will be crucial in their efforts against Detroit.

“I do think everyone has bad games,” Panarin said. “The difference is how you react. Do you fix it, or do you keep going with a smile? You have to stay positive but also go back to being disciplined.”

Dominant Against Detroit This Season

The Rangers have already beaten the Red Wings twice this season and have outscored them 9-3 in those games. In their first meeting on October 14, Mika Zibanejad led the way with a goal and two assists in a 4-1 win at Madison Square Garden. Panarin followed that up with an eight-career hat trick and an assist in a 5-2 road victory just three days later.

Igor Shesterkin was solid in both encounters, making a combined 59 saves. However, with Saturday’s game marking the Rangers’ first road contest of November, they will need to quickly shake off the rust from their recent loss.

Red Wings Looking for Stability in Net with Husso’s Return

The Red Wings are in search of consistency after a mixed stretch of games. Detroit dropped a 3-1 decision to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night, with Dylan Larkin providing the team’s lone goal on the power play.

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Detroit’s goaltending situation has been a roller coaster. Ville Husso, who started the season opener but was waived shortly after due to struggles, was recently recalled following Alex Lyon’s lower-body injury. Husso performed admirably during his stint with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, posting a 1.23 goals-against average and .958 save percentage in three games.

“He went down and did his job,” head coach Derek Lalonde said of Husso. “We’re excited to see him play again.”

Husso’s return provides some stability for a Red Wings team looking to snap out of a recent slump and avoid getting swept by the Rangers this season. The goaltender has faced adversity head-on, approaching his demotion with a professional attitude.

“It was a pretty clear message to just go out there, work hard, play a couple games, and try to get better,” Husso said. “It was a good time there, a good group of guys.”

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Rangers’ Offense vs. Red Wings’ Goaltending: New York will look to rediscover its scoring touch against a Detroit team that has been inconsistent in net. The return of Ville Husso could either stabilize the Red Wings or provide the Rangers an opportunity to exploit a still-recovering goaltender.
2. Panarin’s Playmaking: With Panarin riding high after reaching the 800-point milestone, he’ll be a focal point for the Rangers’ attack. Detroit will need to contain him if they want to avoid another offensive onslaught.
3. Special Teams: Detroit’s power play, led by Dylan Larkin, has been effective recently, while the Rangers’ penalty kill will need to be sharper after giving up multiple goals against Buffalo.

Outlook

The Rangers will be highly motivated to rebound from their embarrassing loss to Buffalo, and their prior success against Detroit this season gives them confidence. However, the Red Wings, back on home ice, will aim to build momentum after getting Husso back in the crease. Both teams are looking to avoid falling into deeper funks, making this game pivotal for each squad.