Rangers Conclude Home-And-Home with Red Wings

After improving to 2-0-1 to start the season, the Rangers are in Detroit where they will conclude a home-and-home with the Detroit Red Wings (7:30PM on ESPN+).

Rangers	Rankings	Red Wings
2-0-1	Record	1-2-0
9th	League Rank	25th
1st	Goals For	26th
8th	Goals Against	18th
17th	Power play	26th
6th	Penalty Kill	16th

Previous Game

The Blueshirts are coming off a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night. New York’s goals came from their high impact players including Alexis Lafreniere, Chris Kreider, Reilly Smith, and Mika Zibanejad. Igor Shesterkin had a major bounce back game making 31 saves on the night including a two-on-zero glove save. The Russian netminder conceded six goals on 26 shots on Saturday night against Utah. Alex Lyon was good in goal for Detroit too, especially in the first period. Detroit featured six former players who played for the Rangers including Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, Erik Gustafsson, Tyler Motte, Andrew Copp, and Cam Talbot. Talbot didn’t get the starting nod for Detroit, and Kane was the only one of the batch to record a point.

Rangers vs Red Wings

The Blueshirts and the Red Wings will battle in Detroit as New York begins a three-game road trip. Alexis Lafreniere is continuing his breakout as his stellar play has continued from the end of last season. Lafreniere has four points in three games as he enters a contract year at just 22-years-old. Lafreniere’s offense may be more crucial on Thursday as Chris Kreider is sick and his status is unknown as of Wednesday night. Kreider did not practice, but head coach Peter Laviolette told the media that he will be joining them on the trip. If Kreider is out of the lineup, expect Matt Rempe to rejoin the lineup. Jonny Brodzinski practiced in Kreider’s spot on Wednesday. Laviolette could rotate multiple guys as the game goes on to see what is working, but as of now Brodzinski could be used as a placeholder.

Update – Chris Kreider did practice on Thursday and is expected to play

Ryan Lindgren has been out to start the season, but his return could be as early as Thursday. Lindgren practiced in full and in a normal practice jersey as he returns from a lower-body injury suffered in preseason. Victor Mancini has filled in nicely with Zac Jones and practiced on Wednesday with Jones. Mancini practicing with Jones indicates that he could remain in the lineup for an additional game.

Update – Ryan Lindgren practiced in full, but isn’t expected to make his debut on Thursday.

Cam Talbot will get the start against his former team. Talbot was a key backup netminder for the Rangers for multiple seasons as he made his name in New York. Talbot is 1-0-0 with a .964 save percentage to open the season. Talbot has played in two games and has allowed just two goals on 56 shots. Detroit has played three different goalies in each of their first three games.

Update – Jonathan Quick is expected to make his first start of the season on Thursday evening.

Dylan Larkin and Alex Debrincat each lead the Red Wings with three points. Larkin scored the lone Red Wings goal and was looking threatening all night.

Bet of the Night

The Blueshirts offense has been solid especially at even strength to open the season. If Kreider is out, expect more ice time for the Artemi Panarin line with Vincent Trocheck and Lafreniere. Let us pick a two leg parlay with Trocheck and Lafreniere each to record a point. With the possibility of them getting more ice time and playing on the same line – this can easily hit on a single goal for New York. A $5 bet will pay $11.80 for a profit of $6.80

Current record: 1-0

Current Money Total (Based on $5 bets) – We are up $2.27 on the season after Trocheck recorded a point during the first game of the season