The Red Wings have two more points after 21 games than they did at the same juncture in 2016-17. (MLive/Mike Mulholland)

Offense, defense, special teams rank higher

The Detroit Red Wings are only two points ahead of their pace from 2016-17 one-quarter of the way through the season.

But there are more reasons for optimism this year, or so it seems.

That’s due in part to the growth and assertiveness of young forwards Anthony Mantha, Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou. It’s also encouraging that the team has improved in virtually every statistical category.

The Red Wings finished 2016-17 ranked 26th in goals per game (2.41) and goals against (2.98). They were 27th on the power play (15.1 percent) and 16th on the penalty kill (80.8 percent).

Through 21 games this season, they are tied for 18th in goals per game (2.90), 10th in goals against (2.71), eighth on the power play (22.4 percent) and sixth on the penalty kill (84.6 percent).

They have only two more points after 21 games (23) than they did last season (21). But with nine of their next 11 at home, they have a chance to bank some points.

Here are five things to watch for this week:

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Dylan Larkin leads the Red Wings with 20 points. (MLive/Mike Mulholland)

Larkin's all-around improvement

Dylan Larkin has adapted well to full-time duty at center. He leads the team with 20 points, including 16 assists, one more than he tallied in 80 games last season. He has a plus-4 rating, a sharp improvement from 2015-17, when he finished at minus-28.

He is taking advantage of extra ice time (19:29 average, compared to 16:09 last season), playing key roles on the improved power play and penalty kill. He’s also much better on faceoffs (52.6 percent vs. 45.4 percent last season).

“We all know he is good offensively, but the way he plays defensively now, too, is impressive,” Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “I think the way he plays now, 200-foot game, both offense and defense, makes smart plays. When he came into the league he was young (19). He’s still young (21), but he plays way more mature now.”

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Connor McDavid leads the Oilers with 10 goals and 25 points. (AP file photo)

Struggling Oilers visit

Edmonton, projected as a Stanley Cup contender, has been one of the most disappointing teams a quarter of the way through the season and visits Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). Only two teams have fewer points than the Oilers (7-11-2), who are led by reigning NHL MVP and 2016-17 scoring leader Connor McDavid (10 goals, 25 points).

The Red Wings might opt to start Petr Mrazek, who made 36 saves in a 4-0 victory in Edmonton on Nov. 5. He hasn’t played since Nov. 9. Mrazek has a 1.78 goals-against average, .940 save percentage and two shutouts in four games vs. the Oilers.

Edmonton plays Tuesday in St. Louis, but playing a tired team didn’t help the rested Red Wings in a 2-1 shootout loss to Columbus Nov. 11 and a 4-3 overtime setback to Colorado on Sunday.

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Mike Green has one of the Red Wings' three goals from defensemen. (MLive/Mike Mulholland)

Defense not finding the net

The Red Wings have only three goals from defensemen – one each by Mike Green, Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson. That is tied with San Jose and Vancouver for the second-fewest in the NHL from the blue line (Buffalo has none).

The Red Wings got 31 goals from their defense in 2016-17, including 14 from Green, who has been productive, with 16 assists, but is far behind his goal-scoring pace from last season.

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The Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader has nine points in his past 10 games. (The Associated Press)

Abdelkader shows improvement

Justin Abdelkader has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in his past 10 games. He is tied for fourth on the team with 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 20 games, a pace that would see him eclipse his career-high point total of 44 (2014-15).

Abdelkader was one of many Red Wings who struggled last season, when he had seven goals, 21 points and a minus-20 rating in 64 games.

Abdelkader will wear a face shield for the next 6-7 weeks due to a fractured cheek bone.

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Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has been tough against the Red Wings and Darren Helm. (AP file photo)

Rangers, Devils reverse course

The New York Rangers are 7-2-0 in their last nine games after struggling at the start (1-5-2). The Red Wings visit Madison Square Garden on Friday (7 p.m., FSD).

Jimmy Howard is likely to start in goal. He is 5-3-2 lifetime against the Rangers, with a 1.69 GAA and .951 save percentage, Henrik Lundqvist has four shutouts in 12 career starts vs. the Red Wings.

Mika Zibanejad leads the Rangers with 10 goals and 20 points.

The Devils, who come to LCA Saturday (7 p.m., FSD), are 12-5-3, after finishing tied for 27th in 2016-17 at 28-40-14.