Game #4: New York Rangers vs Detroit Red Wings Open Thread

It's an action-packed Thursday in the New York sports landscape. The New York Yankees will take the next step in the journey to their 28th World Series title with Game 3 of the American League Championship Series tonight, while the Mets are playing a pivotal Game 4 of the NLCS.

The main event of the night however, will take place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit as the Rangers visit the Detroit Red Wings in an Original Six clash. to wrap up this home and home set. New York defended home ice on Monday with a 4-1 victory over Detroit, and will look to secure a season series victory over the Red Wings with another win tonight.

The Red Wings are currently operating as Rangers Midwest, but the six former Blueshirts currently donning the winged wheel were largely non-factors on Monday. Patrick Kane recorded a secondary assist on Detroit's lone goal, but Cam Talbot and Erik Gustafsson did not partake in the action while Andrew Copp, Tyler Motte, and Vladimir Tarasenko were all held off the score sheet. Another defensive effort like that out of New York should be enough to secure a win in Hockeytown.

Player to Watch: Reilly Smith

Brought in over the summer via a trade with Pittsburgh, Reilly Smith is the latest in a long line of wingers tasked with skating alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider in the hopes of being a long term fit. Smith was quiet in the first two games of the season before scoring his first goal as a Ranger off of a faceoff win by Zibanejad early in the third period on Monday. Look for Smith to keep up the scoring as he and his linemates continue to gel.

Enjoy the game!