Rangers vs Red Wings: Henrik Lundqvist Shuts Out Detroit in Return to Crease
Just 24 hours after dominating the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers completed the season sweep over Detroit with a 1-0 win at Little Caesars Arena. Henrik Lundqvist, who lasted appeared in the crease back on January 11, made his much anticipated return to the lineup. And boy, did he put on one heck of a performance.
Henrik Lundqvist picked up his first shutout since November of 2017 as he turned away all 33 shots he faced throughout the game. Compared to last game, the Rangers were much more frantic in the defensive zone, and if not for Lundqvist’s outstanding play, the outcome could have looked much different.
1st Period
Mika Zibanejad (20) PPG - Chris Kreider (17) & Ryan Strome (32) - 12:13 1st Period
Picking up right where he left off last night. pic.twitter.com/qgDI4BIfTq
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 2, 2020
Despite giving up some early chances in the defensive zone, the Rangers were able to jump out to an early 1-0 lead in this game. Jacob Trouba was able to draw a power play for the Rangers after laying a clean hit on Christoffer Ehn and drawing a crowd along the boards. During the second half of the power play, the Rangers converted on a beautiful passing play between Ryan Strome, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.
Strome started the entire play off with a feed down to Kreider off to the right of the net, and Kreider immediately redirected a pass directly across the crease. Mika Zibanejad was camped out in the perfect spot to chop the puck and it wound up rolling over the goal line ever so slightly.
2nd Period
No scoring.
3rd Period
No scoring.
Mika Zibanejad’s goal would hold up as the game winner as Henrik Lundqvist stole the rest of the game with his spectacular play. The Rangers were able to pick up two big points but it also came with a price as Chris Kreider exited the game early in the second with a suspected head injury. Following tonight’s victory, the Rangers will head back to New York where they will kick off a four-game homestand starting on Monday night against the Dallas Stars.
