Gustafsson will get a chance to help out on the power play

Erik Gustafsson said he knew he “didn’t have a great game in the first game.”

“Sitting on the bench after that is tough,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do about it except play better.”

Signed as an unrestricted free agent last summer, Gustafsson will get that chance tonight when he plays against his former team, the New York Rangers. The Swedish defenseman replaces newcomer Albert Johansson, who played solid and efficient defense in his first two NHL games.

Lalonde returns to Gustafsson in hopes he can help a power play mired in an 11-1 loss. The Red Wings signed Gustafsson with the idea that he could potentially help offset the loss of Shayne Gostisbehere, who left the club via free agency. Gostisbehere scored 29 points on the power play last season. Gustafsson isn’t as dynamic with the puck as Gostisbehere, but he has some skill with point distribution.

“Very happy to be back,” Gustafsson said. “I just have to go out there and show them what I can do.”

Five-on-five games need to be improved

Lalonde has made it clear that the 32-year-old Gustafsson needs to put in a good defensive performance in the 5v5 system to stay in the top six.

It should help that he knows this opponent well. He was a 31-point producer for the Rangers last season.

“You have to be prepared from the start,” Gustafsson said. “They come out hard. Very competent team. You have to control the puck and be tough in our own zone. If we can close them down… I think we played well against them in the last game. I just have to close them down a little quicker in our own zone and not give them opportunities to rush odd players and fire up their team a little bit more if we lose the puck on our blue line or their blue line. Manage the puck and manage the game.”