The Detroit Red Wings found themselves in a frustrating matchup against the New York Rangers, where special teams play ultimately made the difference. While the Wings fought hard, they couldn’t capitalize on their power play opportunities, while the Rangers made theirs count, taking a 4-1 victory. This game showcased some strong individual performances, but the outcome still left much to be desired for Detroit.
Coach Derek Lalonde's post-game comments reflected the general mood surrounding the game: “This is going to be a frustrating game to watch back because we did some pretty good things,” he said. "You put a pretty good performance on the road against a team like this, you’ve got to start learning to find a way to get some points." Lalonde's frustration was warranted. The Wings were on the road against an early-season Stanley Cup favorite, and while they had moments of brilliance, they couldn’t seem to close the gap.
Special Teams Struggles
The Wings had their chances on the power play but were ultimately unable to make them count. When Detroit found themselves with a man advantage midway through the third period, it was their fourth power play of the night. Despite the opportunity, they couldn't find a way past the Rangers’ defense. The Rangers did a fantastic job blocking lanes, and the Wings' best chance was a wrist shot by Vladimir Tarasenko. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to beat Igor Shesterkin, who had a stellar night in goal for the Rangers.
As the game ticked into its final minutes, Detroit pulled their goalie Alex Lyon for an extra attacker. With 2:43 left in the game, it gave the Wings a 6-on-5 advantage. However, Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad, already having an impressive two-assist night, took advantage of the empty net and buried the final goal of the game, sealing the 4-1 win for New York.
Key Performances: Larkin and Lyon
There were bright spots for Detroit despite the loss. Dylan Larkin managed to score in the dying seconds of the first period, giving the Wings a much-needed lift going into the first intermission. Larkin’s goal came with just 1.1 seconds left on the clock, a crucial tying goal that came off a well-placed pass from Justin Holl. It was a timely goal, but unfortunately, the Wings couldn’t maintain the momentum.
Alex Lyon, who got the nod in net over veteran Cam Talbot, also had a solid performance. With Talbot coming off a 42-save shutout in the previous game, some might have expected him to get the start. However, it was a high-volume game for the 37-year-old, and the Wings wanted to give Lyon a chance to prove himself, especially given his history of success. Coach Lalonde praised Lyon, noting, “He gave us a huge boost last season. We had a 16-4-2 stretch, and if we had one person in that stretch who was our MVP, it was him.”
Lyon certainly did his best to hold down the fort against the Rangers. He made 24 saves on the night, including a highlight-reel stop late in the second period where he flashed his glove to deny Vincent Trochek on a breakaway. Even though he allowed four goals, including an empty-netter, Lyon had some stellar moments, especially during New York’s second power play, where he made three key saves while the Rangers spent nearly the entire two minutes in Detroit’s zone.
The Rangers Take Advantage
On the flip side, the Rangers made the most of their opportunities, especially on special teams. Alexis Lafreniere got things started for New York in the first period, capitalizing on a pass from Artemi Panarin to one-time it past Lyon at 11:45. The Wings were out of position, leaving Lafreniere wide open to score.
The Rangers struck again in the second period while on the power play, with Chris Kreider tipping a shot from Zibanejad at 17:07 to make it 2-1. While the Wings managed to keep it close for most of the game, the Rangers' ability to capitalize on their chances, especially with the man advantage, was the deciding factor.
Justin Holl’s Redemption Arc
A particularly exciting subplot of the game was Justin Holl’s standout performance. Just a week ago, Holl had been assigned to the minors after clearing waivers. He’s in the second year of a three-year, $10.2 million deal, but after playing just 38 games last season, his role with the team seemed uncertain. However, Holl remained confident, saying during the preseason, “I know I am an NHL player.”
Holl proved it against the Rangers. He played a pivotal role in Larkin’s first-period goal, catching a drop pass from Patrick Kane at the top of the right circle in New York’s zone. He then skated up the flank and centered a perfect pass to Larkin, who promptly buried it past Shesterkin. Holl’s assist came at a crucial time, giving the Wings a tying goal right as the first period expired. For a player who had just recently been in the minors, it was a redemption moment.
What’s Next for the Wings?
The Red Wings will have another shot at the Rangers soon, as the two teams meet again Thursday at Little Caesars Arena. It will be a chance for Detroit to regroup and hopefully turn some of the lessons from this game into points in the standings. With their power play sputtering and the penalty kill overworked, there’s plenty of room for improvement.
One key for the Wings moving forward will be finding a way to finish on their chances. They’ve shown they can hang with top teams like the Rangers, but to start picking up points, they’ll need more from their special teams and their offense as a whole.
While Lyon had a solid outing, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Talbot back between the pipes for the rematch. His experience and recent success could give the Wings the edge they need. On the other hand, if the Wings want to keep developing Lyon, it’s possible they’ll give him another shot to shine.
Final Thoughts
This game served as a reminder of how small details can shift the outcome of a hockey game. The Wings played a solid road game against a Stanley Cup contender but were ultimately undone by their inability to capitalize on special teams. There were individual moments of brilliance, from Larkin’s timely goal to Lyon’s key saves, but as a team, Detroit will need to sharpen their play if they hope to turn competitive performances into victories.
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