The New York Rangers can complete a three-game season sweep of the Red Wings in Detroit on Saturday night. To achieve that, they'll have to bounce back quickly from their worst loss of the season.
The Rangers were pounded at home and dropped a 6-1 decision to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. New York trailed 1-0 after the first period and then allowed four goals in the second.
"I don't think anything went right," Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren said. "We were soft on pucks, giving them way too many easy chances, leaving the goalies out to dry. From top to bottom, it was not good enough."
They couldn't blame fatigue for their poor performance. They hadn't played since Sunday, when they recorded a three-goal victory over the New York Islanders.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't generate more, we didn't go after them, we didn't attack them more. That's what I'm going to look back at," Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said.
The lone bright spot was that Artemi Panarin recorded his 800th career point while assisting on their lone goal.
"I do think that everyone has bad games. The difference is how you react. Do you fix it, or do you keep going with a smile?" Panarin told the New York Post. "I mean, you have to stay positive, for sure, but you have to go back to being disciplined as well."
New York notched back-to-back victories over the Red Wings on Oct. 14 and 17. Mika Zibanejad had a goal and two assists in a 4-1 home win in the series opener, while Panarin notched three assists. Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves.
In the rematch at Detroit, Panarin recorded his eighth career hat trick in the Rangers' 5-2 win. He added an assist and Vincent Trocheck contributed a goal and three assists.
The game on Saturday is the Rangers' first on the road this month. They return home for two games before embarking on a four-game road trip.
As for Detroit, the Red Wings have played their past two games on the road and will head out on a four-game journey after Saturday's contest.
Ville Husso is expected to start at goaltender for Detroit. Husso has experienced a dizzying season.
He started the season opener against Pittsburgh but was pulled in the second period after giving up four goals.
Husso was waived but no team claimed him. He then joined the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. He had a 2-0-0 record with a 1.23 goals-against average, .958 save percentage and one shutout in three games with the Griffins.
The Red Wings recalled him after fellow goaltender Alex Lyon sustained a lower-body injury.
"He went down and did his job," head coach Derek Lalonde told NHL.com. "A little adversity there, he dealt with a lower-body injury himself. He played Thursday, played well. We're excited to see him play (Saturday)."
Husso approached the unexpected demotion professionally.
"It was a pretty clear message to just go out there, work hard, play a couple games and try to get better," Husso said. "It was a good time there, a good group of guys."
The Red Wings will look to rebound from a 3-1 road loss to Toronto on Friday night. Captain Dylan Larkin's sixth power play goal of the season was the only offense Detroit generated.
