Despite the overtime loss the Wings extended their point streak to five games, tying their second longest of the season (3-0-2 from Nov. 23-Dec. 1).
The Red Wings have earned 3-of-4 points against the Rangers this season and have points in 21 of their last 25 games against them (16-4-5 since 1998-99).
1. Jared Coreau: Coreau was making his first start against the Rangers and first since Jan. 18 against the Boston Bruins. The Rangers only managed 19 shots on net and went 0-for-4 on the the power play. The Wings had 11 blocked shots in front of Coreau. Coreau is 5-0-2 since losing his NHL debut in Pittsburgh on Dec. 3. Coreau has a 2.79 goals-against average and .904 save percentage.
Quotable: "I felt great. I think the guys played great, too. Defensively we were sound again. Some huge blocks, we cleared the puck well, we had crisp passes on breakouts. We played a good game, they played a good game. It was going to come down to that one goal or maybe a shootout. It was a good game." - Coreau
2.Thomas Vanek: Vanek, tied for the team lead in points with captain Henrik Zetterberg with 31, appeared to be hit by Andreas Athanasiou's shot at the end of the first period. Vanek did not return to the game. Wings coach Jeff Blashill said it was a lower-body injury and he did not think it was long-term but would know more Monday.
Quotable: "He's a big part of our team. He's been putting up numbers and playing really well as of late. Of course that was a big loss. But any way you slice it we got to find a way to be a little bit better when we get the chances." - Niklas Kronwall
3. Niklas Kronwall: Kronwall returned after missing eight games with a groin injury, playing 16:14 and paired with rookie Nick Jensen.
Quotable: "Jensen was great again. I think he's played real solid for us. He's such a good skater. He skates out of difficult situations. He played really well. I felt decent out there. There's still some timing issues when you've been out for a bit but overall I felt OK." - Kronwall
4. Drew Miller: When the Wings activated Kronwall before the game, they had to make a roster move to make room so they placed forward Drew Miller on waivers. Miller had five goals, one assist and was minus-10 in 34 games this season.
Quotable: "I think that was an organizational decision. I think part of that Ken Holland should comment on. Drew wants to play so here's an opportunity potentially if there's another suitor out there, where he could play. There are some young assets that we have here that I think there's still potential. Now with that said, if for whatever reason as things happened, I've got tons of confidence in Drew Miller as a hockey player. I'd play him any day. I'd play him tomorrow and I'd feel real confident with him in the lineup. We've got lots of good players here and we've got too many players to go around, so we're going to make some decisions." - Blashill
