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New York Rangers vs Red Wings: A sweet beginning with a 4-2 win

By Derek McAdam

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 31: Tony DeAngelo #77 and Brady Skjei #76 of the New York Rangers celebrate after defeating the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 31: Tony DeAngelo #77 and Brady Skjei #76 of the New York Rangers celebrate after defeating the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 31: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers braces for a second period shot from Alex Biega #3 of the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 31: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers braces for a second period shot from Alex Biega #3 of the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Notes on the game

The Rangers continue to struggle in the faceoff circles, winning only 19 of 53 draws.

  • Brady Skjei led all skaters in ice-time, playing 22:48. Brendan Smith played the least amount of minutes, with only 9:05.

    • It was another multi-point night for Artemi Panarin, bringing his total to 24 multi-point games on the season.

  • Panarin led the Rangers in shots on goal with seven, followed by Ryan Strome‘s five shots.
  • Jacob Trouba and Tony DeAngelo both recorded three blocked shots, which led the Rangers.
  • Mika Zibanejad scored his eighth power play goal of the season, which leads all Rangers’ scorers.
  • Chris Kreider continues his hot streak, scoring 11 goals in his last 17 appearances.

    • Kappo Kakko played less than 15 minutes, but made strong impacts on the ice. His best opportunity came right in front of the goal, but he was denied by Jimmy Howard.

    Igor Shesterkin improves to 3-1-0 on the season, giving him a .925 save percentage and a 2.50 goals against average.

    After the game Shesterkin talked about going for the goal and said that he had scored one in Russia in junior hockey.

    This was the first time the Rangers won a game coming out of the All-Star break or bye week  in over ten years.

  • The Rangers started the game with new defense pairings as Coach David Quinn teamed Jacob Trouba with Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox with Brady Skjei.  That lasted until after the second Red Wings goal  as the Fox/Skjei combination was on for both Detroit tallies.
  • Alex Ovechkin scored his 695th career goal, passing Mark Messier to move into eight place overall in NHL history.
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