Detroit @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 7, 2019 ) NY Rangers 2, Detroit 3

The New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings are stumbling toward the finish line, with much of their struggles due to an inability to win on the road. Losers of four in a row and 10 of 11 (1-5-5), the Rangers return home from an ugly four-game road trip for Tuesday's matchup against Detroit, which has won only twice in its last 14 (2-9-3).

New York was outscored 17-6 during its four-game trek, which concluded with a 5-2 setback at Minnesota on Saturday. "I think we still have better in us," Rangers center Mika Zibanejad said. "We've just got to build on the good things and move on -- get excited to get home, and play at home." Prior to edging the New York Islanders 2-1 on Saturday, the Red Wings' lone victory over the past month was a 3-2 shootout win over the Rangers on March 7. Detroit, which has dropped six in a row (0-4-2) away from home and is kicking off a five-game road trip, has won four straight in the series -- all by 3-2 scores and all settled beyond regulation.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (25-37-10): Forward Andreas Athanasiou has scored four times in the last six games to boost his total to 26. Detroit has not had a 30-goal scorer since 2008-09, but captain Dylan Larkin (27) and Athanasiou could end the streak. “The way he’s playing right now he should get that marker,” Larkin said of Athanasiou, who was shifted to center earlier this month. “He’s dynamic. He’s an explosive scorer. ... It’s huge for our team – if he can produce at the center ice position, it’ll be harder for matchups for other teams."

ABOUT THE RANGERS (28-31-13): Zibanejad, the team leader in goals (28) and points (67), eclipsed his previous career high of 27 tallies when he halted an eight-game drought Saturday, but Chris Kreider has been stuck on 26 tallies over the past 10 contests. The power play also is in major funk, converting on 1 of 30 chances over the past 10 games. "It’s just too slow, too methodical," coach David Quinn said. "We don’t have an attack mentality on the power play, for sure. We don’t have an idea what we’re going to do with it before we get it.”

OVERTIME

1. Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist fell to 7-4-6 against Detroit after dropping both decisions this season.

2. Red Wings F Taro Hirose, who led the NCAA in scoring this season at Michigan State, will make his NHL debut on Tuesday.

3. Rangers F Pavel Buchnevich has five goals in the past eight games, including two in Detroit.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Red Wings 2