Red Wings' Erik Gustafsson: Ends slump with power-play helper
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Gustafsson recorded a power-play assist and two PIM in Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Sharks.
Gustafsson put an 11-game slump to rest when he set up Marco Kasper's first-period tally. Gustafsson has played in a majority of games, though he was scratched twice during his dry spell and is far from a lock to play every contest. He has just three helpers with 22 shots on net, 12 blocked shots, 10 PIM and a minus-5 rating over 14 outings. Gustafsson's main value is in power-play production -- he's earned all of his assists with the man advantage -- but he's been limited to the second unit for the better part of the last month, which reduces his opportunities to make an impact.
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Red Wings' Erik Gustafsson: Notches power-play assist
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Gustafsson registered a power-play assist, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and four PIM in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Rangers.
Gustafsson has an assist in each of his two games this season, both coming on the power play. He's added five shots on net, three blocked shots and a minus-2 rating. Gustafsson has done the job he was signed for, but he may end up slipping out of the lineup once again, as Jeff Petry (upper body) was cleared to play Saturday versus the Predators after a three-game absence.
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Red Wings' Erik Gustafsson: Grabs power-play helper
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Gustafsson posted a power-play assist, three shots on goal and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Penguins.
Gustafsson had to fill a larger role than expected in his Detroit debut, as Jeff Petry (upper body) left the game early. Gustafsson was signed by the Red Wings as a direct replacement for Shayne Gostisbehere -- a third-pairing option who can also run a power play. The 32-year-old Gustafsson had 31 points (nine on the power play) over 76 regular-season outings with the Rangers last season. If Petry misses time, Gustafsson may be pressed into a top-four role, though his defensive struggles could largely offset the extra opportunities he'd receive with more ice time.
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Red Wings' Erik Gustafsson: Signs two-year deal
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Gustafsson signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Red Wings on Monday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on Monday.
Gustafsson had six goals and 31 points in 76 regular-season games with the Rangers in 2023-24. The 32-year-old is likely to serve on either Detroit's second or third pairing, and he should also see some time on the second power-play unit.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Deals assist in loss
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Gustafsson posted an assist and three hits in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 4.
Gustafsson snapped a five-game point drought when he helped out on a Will Cuylle goal in the first period. Through eight playoff contests, Gustafsson has three assists, six shots on net, 16 hits, five blocked shots and a minus-1 rating. He remains in a third-pairing role, so a large uptick in offense is unlikely to happen for the 32-year-old.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Provides helper in win
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Gustafsson notched an assist, four shots on goal and two blocked shots in Monday's 4-0 win over the Senators.
This was Gustafsson's first point in his last seven appearances. The 32-year-old defenseman ends the regular season with 31 points, 93 shots on net, 66 blocked shots, 63 hits and a plus-3 rating over 76 appearances. He'll likely remain in a bottom-four role as a power-play specialist to begin the playoffs.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Set to return
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Gustafsson (upper body) is expected to play Wednesday versus the Devils, Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today reports.
Gustafsson will return from a four-game absence -- he's expected to play on the third pairing and second power-play unit against New Jersey. Zac Jones will exit the lineup to make way for Gustafsson's return.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Remains unavailable
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Gustafsson (upper body) is not expected to be an option for Monday's matchup against Pittsburgh, per Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today.
Gustafsson is poised to miss his fourth consecutive contest. He wore a non-contact jersey during Monday's morning skate, which suggests he is making progress. He has earned six goals, 30 points, 83 shots on net, 62 blocked shots and 59 hits in 70 games this season.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Won't play Saturday
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Gustafsson (upper body) didn't travel with the team for its road clash with Arizona on Saturday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
Gustafsson will be out of action for his third consecutive game due to his upper-body problem. In 70 games this season, the 32-year-old blueliner has notched six goals and 24 assists, including nine power-play points. Without Gustafsson in the lineup, K'Andre Miller could see more time with the man advantage.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Remains out Thursday
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Gustafsson (upper body) won't be available Thursday versus Colorado, per Jim Cerny of Forever Blueshirts.
Gustafsson is set to miss his second consecutive contest. He has six goals and 30 points in 70 appearances this season. When Gustafsson is ready to return, he might serve in a bottom-four capacity.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Won't play against Flyers
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Gustafsson (upper body) will not be an option versus Philadelphia on Tuesday, per NHL.com.
Gustafsson will be out of the lineup for just the second time this season. In his 70 appearances this year, the 32-year-old blueliner has managed six goals and 24 assists, including nine power-play points. Without Gustafsson in the lineup, Brandon Scanlin is expected to make his NHL debut.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Dealing with upper-body injury
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Gustafsson (upper body) is considered day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's matchup against Philadelphia.
It's unclear at this time if Gustafsson will be available to play versus the Flyers after he didn't practice Monday. The 32-year-old blueliner has six goals, 30 points, 83 shots on net and 62 blocked shots over 70 appearances this season. If Gustafsson can't play Tuesday, Brandon Scanlin may get a chance to make his NHL debut.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Powers up with assist
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Gustafsson recorded a power-play assist in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Blues.
The well-traveled Gustafsson has been on eight different NHL teams, including the Oilers, who never actually utilized the Swedish defenseman after selecting him in the fourth round (No. 93 overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He's found a home in the Big Apple to the tune of five goals and 22 assists, nine of which have taken place on the power play. The Rangers rank fifth in power-play percentage, converting 83.3 percent of their chances, so take that into account when deciding between Gustafsson and others of that ilk.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Dishes helper in Thursday's win
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Gustafsson picked up an assist, a blocked shot, a hit, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Devils.
Gustafsson extended his point streak to three games with a third-period stretch pass from his own zone which helped spring Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck on a 2-on-1, resulting in Trocheck's 20th goal of the season. With five goals and 21 assists through 56 games, Gustafsson's on pace to finish just shy of last season's 42 points.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Good to go Sunday
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Gustafsson (lower body) will be in Sunday's lineup against the Ducks, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.
Gustafsson was unavailable Saturday against the Kings but will get back in the lineup after just one missed game. The veteran blueliner has four goals and 21 points through 44 games this season.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Out Saturday
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Gustafsson (lower body) won't play Saturday against the Kings, Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today reports.
Matthew Robertson was recalled from AHL Hartford on Friday, indicating the Rangers would need some defensive depth Saturday. It'll be the first game Gustafsson's missed this campaign. He has four goals and 21 points through 44 outings. Zac Jones will likely slot into Gustafsson's spot on the third pairing.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Notches three helpers in win
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Gustafsson logged three assists in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs.
Two of Gustafsson's three assists came on the power play in the Rangers' three-goal victory. The 31-year-old blueliner now has four helpers in his last two contests after going eight games without a point. Gustafsson's been relegated back to a bottom-pairing role since Adam Fox returned from injury, limiting his scoring production, though he's had a solid campaign overall with 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) through 30 outings in his first season with New York.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Offers helper in shootout win
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Gustafsson notched an assist, two hits and two blocked shots in Sunday's 4-3 shootout win over the Blue Jackets.
Gustafsson set up Chris Kreider's first-period tally. The helper extended Gustafsson's point streak to four games (one goal, five assists). The 31-year-old defenseman has filled in admirably with Adam Fox (lower body) out. Gustafsson's recent surge has him up to 10 points, 22 shots on net, 16 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through 14 contests overall.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: Adds two assists
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Gustafsson logged a pair of assists in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Red Wings.
Gustafsson picked up his first assist on Vincent Trocheck's opening tally 1:40 into the first period before setting up Chris Kreider on a second-period power play. The 31-year-old Gustafsson has seen his role increase with Adam Fox (lower body) on the long-term IR -- Gustafsson has posted four points (a goal and three assists) in two games since moving into a top-four role and taking over on the top power-play unit. Overall, Gustafsson is up to eight points (three goals, five assists) through his first 12 games with the Rangers.
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Rangers' Erik Gustafsson: One of each in shootout loss
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Gustafsson recorded a goal and an assist on two shots in the Rangers' 5-4 shootout loss to the Wild on Saturday.
Gustafsson extended the Rangers' lead to 3-0 with a shot in the slot that beat Filip Gustavsson. He would also pick up a helper on Chris Kreider's goal. In his first year with the Rangers, he has started strong with three goals and six points in 11 games. With Adam Fox sidelined with a lower-body injury, Gustafsson will be expected to take on the role of power-play quarterback on the Rangers' top power-play unit.
