Erik Gustafsson acknowledged that he “didn’t have a great performance” in his first game. “Being benched after that is tough,” he remarked. “The only thing I can do is play better.”
After signing as an unrestricted free agent last summer, Gustafsson will have the opportunity to prove himself tonight against his former team, the New York Rangers. He will take the place of rookie Albert Johansson, who had solid and efficient performances in his first two NHL games.
Coach Lalonde is turning back to Gustafsson in hopes that he can contribute to a struggling power play that has been just 1-for-11 recently. The Red Wings brought Gustafsson on board to help fill the gap left by Shayne Gostisbehere’s departure in free agency; Gostisbehere had garnered 29 power-play points last season. While Gustafsson may not have the same level of dynamic puck skills, he does bring some ability to facilitate play from the point. “I’m just really happy to be back,” Gustafsson stated. “I need to go out there and demonstrate my abilities.”
Improvement in Five-on-Five Play Required
Lalonde has emphasized that Gustafsson, now 32, must excel defensively in 5-on-5 situations to remain in the top six lineup.
Having previous experience against this opponent should aid him, as he contributed 31 points while with the Rangers last season.
“You have to be ready from the start,” Gustafsson noted. “They come out strong. They’re a very skilled team. We need to manage the puck well and be solid in our own zone. If we can contain them… I think we played well against them last time. We just need to close off plays faster in our zone and avoid giving them opportunities for odd-man rushes, which can elevate their game when we turn the puck over on the blue line. It’s all about puck management and controlling the game.”
