Notes: Howard and Lundqvist usually the stars when Wings play Rangers

DETROIT -- In the last several years, if you come to see a game involving the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, two Original Six franchises, you know it will come down to goaltending.
When Jimmy Howard faces the Rangers, he's turned in some of the most impressive performances of his career and it's been similar with Henrik Lundqvist against the Wings.

"It's been fun every single night," Howard said after the optional morning skate. "It's no secret around here, everyone knows that the Rangers were my childhood team growing up, being a New York boy. Mike Richter was my idol. I just really enjoy going out there and playing against the Rangers."
The numbers speak for themselves.
In 13 career games against the Rangers, Howard is 7-3-3 with a 1.74 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage.
In 15 career games against the Wings, Lundqvist is 7-4-4 with a 1.96 goals-against average and .937 save percentage, plus four shutouts.
"They've had great battles," Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "They've both had some unreal games against each other. I'm not sure why. I can't put a finger on that. When we're in New York, maybe a little extra significance for Howie. They've had great, great battles in the time I've been here. It's really been amazing. I hope one guy is great tonight and the other is not but I don't think that'll happen."
Defenseman Danny DeKeyser was asked about playing the Rangers and the first thing he brought up was goaltending.
"Howie and Lundqvist have been really strong in those games, they were making huge saves," DeKeyser said. "You go back, whatever, three, four, five games the last couple years that we've played them, it's like those guys are stealing the show, they're stopping everything. That's the one thing that stands out."
Howard knows that when Lundqvist is in the Rangers' net, he's going to have to be on top of his game.
"I know he's going to play well," Howard said. "He's not going to give up very many and I've got to just raise my game a little bit more.
"There's no room for error for either one of us. But it makes it enjoyable. It makes for an intense matchup and for the game to be a lot of fun."
Of course, someone has to score a goal for one of these goaltenders to get the victory and it could come down to rookie Michael Rasmussen planting his 6-foot-6, 221-pound frame in front of Lundqvist during a power play.
"Whether it's him or any other goalie, I got to get in front of him and take his eyes and kind of bump him here and there," Rasmussen said. "I just got to keep doing that.
"It's unreal, obviously he's one of the best goalies in the NHL and of all-time, I guess. I've never played him and never really seen him play but I watched him on TV all the time."
HELLO, OLD FRIENDS: There are some connections between the Wings and Rangers.
Among them is defenseman Brendan Smith, the former Wing who now plays for the Rangers.
"Smitty's a good buddy of mine," DeKeyser said. "I still chat with him every now and then so it's good to see him out there but I'll be trying to score on him when he's out there."
Smith has one goal, two assists and is minus-4 in 15 games. He is also second on New York in penalty minutes with 27. Cody McLeod has 32 in 10 games.
"I haven't spoken to him," Blashill said. "I like Brendan lots. I wish him well for sure. I haven't had a chance to see any of them yet. It looks like Brendan is playing pretty good hockey, so that's great for him. He's a good person. I've known him a long time, recruited him unsuccessfully to Miami a long timer ago, so I hope he's having great success."
Blashill also knows new Rangers coach David Quinn, who coached Boston University the last five seasons.
"He was in the college game a long time and I was in the college game a long time," Blashill said. "He was at the U.S. program when I would have been recruiting for sure. I've known David a long time, he's an excellent coach, an excellent communicator, great person, good friend of mine."
INJURY UPDATE: Reinforcements have arrived.
Blashill said he planned on both Andreas Athanasiou and Frans Nielsen returning to the lineup against the Rangers.
Athanasiou and Nielsen were both hurt in the Oct. 28 game against the Dallas Stars and have missed the last four games.
Athanasiou suffered a lower-body injury and Nielsen a concussion.
The two forwards have been practicing and skating on the same line along with Gustav Nyquist.
It took a little extra time for Nielsen to get clearance from the doctors to return to the lineup.
Nyquist is excited that Nielsen is finally returning.
"He's such a good player, such an important player for us, a leader for us," Nyquist said earlier in the week. "The way he plays, both with and without the puck, he's always on the right side. I love playing with Frans. He's a great player, he can make plays offensively for us. For the team, he kills penalties, he's on the power play so he does it all. It'll be great to have him back."
Even after missing four games, Athanasiou is third on the team in goals with four.
Dylan Larkin has six and Tyler Bertuzzi has five.
"I think he's done a good job from day one of training camp playing at a consistent level and being engaged in the game at a consistent level and when he's engaged and skating and stopping on pucks and competing he's a really good player," Blashill said Wednesday. "I think he's done a really good job of that through the course of the first part of the year and then obviously got hurt and that's the way life goes."