RECAP: Red Wings 'beat a really good team' in Rangers, 4-1

DETROIT -- Andrew Copp didn't hesitate when he was asked about the significance of the Detroit Red Wings' 4-1 win over the New York Rangers on Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena.

"I think we're over the cutline right now," said Copp, who notched a goal and two assists to record his first three-point game with the Red Wings. "That's what it means to us. We're understanding how to play the game and even when we get leads, we're playing pretty mature."
At the time of publishing on
DetroitRedWings.com
, the Red Wings own the second and final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with an overall record of 28-21-8 (64 points). Detroit leads the Florida Panthers (29-25-6; 64 points) in terms of points percentage.
The Red Wings last occupied a playoff spot at this point of a season - minimum 50 games - during the 2015-16 campaign, when Detroit held on for the final nine days of the season en route to making its most recent postseason appearance.
"You go on a run like this and you continually find ways to win, you're usually getting contributions from everyone," head coach Derek Lalonde said. "That's been the case. Just a really good win. We beat a really good team at home."
Detroit opened the scoring when Copp made it a 1-0 game mid-way through the first period. Filip Zadina put the Red Wings ahead, 2-1, at 8:18 of the second before Michael Rasmussen padded the club's lead later in the same frame. Filip Hronek's power-play goal in the third secured Detroit's second straight win, and its seventh victory in the past eight games.
Making 30 saves - and arguably one of his most impressive highlight-reel plays of the year with a spectacular toe stop late in the second - Ville Husso stood tall in net for the Red Wings, earning his 23rd win of the season. With the loss, the Rangers dropped to 33-16-9 (75 points) overall.
"I think we're finding our recipe," Copp said. "Which is really important this time of year."
NOTABLE:Prior to Thursday's puck drop, green lights illuminated the Little Caesars Arena ice as the Red Wings held a moment of silence for the victims of the Feb. 13 shooting at Michigan State University.
NEXT UP:Detroit will conclude a quick two-game homestand on Saturday night, welcoming the Tampa Bay Lightning to Little Caesars Arena for an 8 p.m. puck drop.

SCORING SUMMARY

Detroit 1, New York 0 (15:33, 1st period)
David Perron set things up, sliding the puck to Rasmussen just inside the right faceoff circle. Ramussen quickly sent a backhand pass across to slot to Copp, who snapped one home for his sixth goal of the season.

New York 1, Detroit 1 (6:06, 2nd period)
The Rangers took advantage of a Detroit turnover at center ice, allowing Vincent Trocheck to skate into the left faceoff circle and get a shot past Husso.
Detroit 2, New York 1 (8:18, 2nd period)
From along the wall, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin set up Zadina for a left-faceoff circle goal, which proved to be the eventual game-winner. Zadina has recorded a point in each of his last three appearances.

Detroit 3, New York 1 (18:02, 3rd period)
Perron grabbed his own rebound up close after New York netminder Jaroslav Halak made the initial save, then set up Rasmussen in front of the crease. Copp also picked up an assist on Rasmussen's 10th goal of the season.

Detroit 4, New York 1 (4:51, 3rd period)
Hronek, assisted by Copp and Dominik Kubalik, wrapped up the scoring when he buried a wrister from the blue line for a power-play goal.

QUOTABLE

Lalonde on if he can sense confidence in the dressing room
"Tonight we were a little nervous and tight, which surprised me a little bit. I want the guys to be comfortable in these types of situations. Maybe they get home and hear it a little bit more. Different vibe tonight, but not in a bad way."
Husso on Thursday's home win after returning from a season-high five-game road trip
"We just came in today and tried to get the win. It's not easy after a long road trip. We did a good job in Washington coming from the West Coast all the way to the East Coast to play a game there (East Coast) and then come home. We didn't skate yesterday and no morning skate today, so we were ready to play."
Copp on Detroit's current playoff push
"This push has been great timing for us, especially getting on the road for 10 days. I think we got closer as a team in those 10 days too. Obviously, winning helps and production from everyone."