The Detroit Red Wings showcased all the appearances of the better hockey team in the first period as they forced multiple turnovers, were much crisper, and out of their first five shots, three were of high-quality scoring opportunities.
Fortunately for the road-skating New York Rangers, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was equal to the task, stopping Gustav Nyquist on a power-play breakaway and then again via a one-on-one opportunity:
HENRIK LUNDQVIST! Robbery of Nyquist on the break! pic.twitter.com/F44YP4Zhpr
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) December 30, 2017
In the end, it wasn’t enough.