There's no sugarcoating it - the New York Rangers were embarassed on Thursday night by the Buffalo Sabres. After four days off, New York was ran off the ice by Buffalo by a score of 6-1.
Luckily, the Blueshirts have a chance to right the wrongs tonight against the Detroit Red Wings. New York won both games of a home-and-home against the Red Wings earlier in the season, scoring at least four goals in both games.
The Rangers need to flip the script tonight on the road or things might get ugly. Here's three Blueshirts to watch:
1. Artemi Panarin
Panarin was scoreless for the second time this season on Thursday night, and it's been clear for years: how Panarin plays dictates a lot of the Rangers' offense. Last time New York played Detroit at Little Caesar's Arena, he had a hat trick in a 5-2 win on October 17.
Regardless of who is centering Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere - whether Vincent Trocheck or Mika Zibanejad - it's on Panarin to produce tonight.
2. Ryan Lindgren
Lindgren has been at the center of a lot of New York's defensive criticisms, and rightfully so. Since missing the first few games of the season with a jaw injury, Lindgren has not looked great. On Thursday, he posted a -2 rating.
The 26-year-old has been part of this Rangers' defensive core for years now, and this might be his last season. He signed a one-year deal to keep him in New York for this season, and he needs to be better.
3. K'Andre Miller
Miller has been paired with Adam Fox for the majority of this season, but has made some costly mistakes resulting in opponents scoring easily. On Thursday against Buffalo, Miller had no points and a -3 rating.
He's flashed so much potential, but numbers like this are not going to make anyone happy. As someone projected to be a Ranger for years to come, Miller has the opportunity to bounce back.