One down, one to go. Although the New York Rangers should be pleased with their 4-2 win over the Red Wings in New York, they need a road win tonight to sweep the series.
The New York Rangers had to win last night in their first game back from a nine day break and they did. Mission half accomplished. They travel to Detroit to take on the Red Wings in another game that has to be considered a must win.
The win last night was more one-sided than the score would indicate. The Blueshirts dominated possession, shot attempts and shots on goal and there was only a glimmer of doubt after the Red Wings scored two goals late in the third period.
While last night ‘s result was predictable, tonight will be a greater challenge. The Red Wings are awful, but they do play better at home. They have won only four of 26 games on the road and they have doubled that win total at Little Caesars Arena. It’s also the second game of back-to-back games, a test for both teams.
The Rangers have played seven sets of back-to-back games this season and have swept three, split three and lost only one two-game set. Furthermore, the two times the first game is at the Garden, they have gone on to sweep both games.
Believe it or not, the Rangers haven’t had a back-to-back on consecutive nights against the same opponent in over four years.
The Rangers are playing against the same opponent on consecutive days for the first time since Oct. 9-10, 2015 against Columbus. The Rangers and Red Wings are playing a home-and-home set on consecutive days for the first time since Mar. 26-27, 2000. #NYR
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) January 31, 2020
February will be a tough month for the Rangers in many ways. They have a huge mountain to climb if they expect to stay in the playoff race. They will also be playing with the trade deadline only 24 days away (and counting) and the possiblity that there could be wholesale changes in the roster. They need to take it one game at a time starting with tonight.