A potential Eastern Conference Final preview will take place on Wednesday night in a classic matchup of Original Six teams. Both the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings are perennial playoff teams that are well poised for deep playoff runs in 2015. The Red Wings and Rangers will meet on NBCSN Wednesday Night Rivalry at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Faceoff time is set for 8 p.m. ET.
What to Watch: The Rangers are in good form with eight wins in their last ten games as one of the most complete teams in the NHL. New York ranks second for goal scoring and fourth for goals against. Detroit is a well drilled finesse team that boasts the top power play in the game. Detroit’s Mike Babcock and New York’s Alain Vigneault are two of the top coaches in the game. Vigneault in particular is a creative offensive mind.
Rangers to Watch: Left wing Rick Nash has been among the most dominant offensive players in the NHL with 37 goals and 21 assists to go with a whopping plus-22. 39-year old Martin St. Louis remains a productive player with 18 goals and 26 assists but has slumped as of late with two points in five games. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh is among the best in the game at his position. Goaltender Cam Talbot has a .915 save percentage and has been tasked with covering for the Rangers with Henrik Lundqvist (.922) out. Defenseman Keith Yandle arrived from Arizona in a blockbuster trade on Sunday. Yandle has been one of the most coveted defensemen in the NHL
Red Wings to Watch: Center Pavel Datsyuk is a magician with the puck and a creative offensive star. Datsyuk has 22 goals and 29 assists. Left wing Tomas Tatar has 25 goals while center Gustav Nyquist has 21. Defenseman Niklas Kronwall is among the best in the game and maintains Detroit’s tradition of dominant European rearguards.
Injury List: Detroit’s Darren Helm is questionable with an upper body issue and left wing Henrik Zetterberg is questionable as well with an upper body issue. Defenseman Kyle Quincey is questionable with an ankle problem. Johan Franzen remains on injured reserve with a head issue.
The Rangers remain without world class goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who is out with a neck injury until mid-March. Right wing Jesper Fast is out with a leg issue.
Why to Watch: This is a classic matchup of top contending teams that have plenty to play for. Both teams are within striking distance of Montreal for the top seed in the Eastern Conference and, if not that, home ice advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs.
