On a night upon which Vitali Kravtsov and Jake Leschyshyn were scratched for “roster management” reasons, the Rangers faced off against the Detroit Red Wings with eleven forwards and seven defenders.
First Period
The Rangers and Red Wings both played most of the first period like they wanted to avoid big mistakes. It was a medium-paced, low-event affair. Unfortunately, Tyler Motte left the ice after blocking a shot in the shoulder/neck area, leaving the Rangers’ bench even shorter. Poor guy can’t catch a break in a Rangers sweater. Though the Rangers kept the wheels from falling off, they still trailed by the end of the period.