Detroit failed to score in its 2026-27 opener as Dylan Garand earned his first NHL shutout and frustrated fans voiced their displeasure at Little Caesars Arena.
The Detroit Red Wings started their 2026 season with a loss to the New York Rangers in a game that saw two goals scored by the visiting team. Garand made his first start of the season after previously playing three games with the Rangers and going 2-0-1 in those appearances. New York had already played two games during the season and was in the middle of a back-to-back set when they faced Detroit.
The Red Wings were missing two key players at the start of the campaign. Former captain Dylan Larkin was out due to an upper-body injury and had been placed on injured reserve retroactive to August 15. Larkin was present at the game wearing street clothes but was booed during pregame introductions.
Detroit also opened the season without defenseman Simon Edvinsson because he remained an unsigned restricted free agent.
During the first period Sean Durzi scored a power-play goal that gave New York the first tally of the game according to CBS Sports. Durzi netted the goal from the high slot after receiving a pass from Gabe Perreault according to a report from Yahoo Sports. Durzi appeared to score again about two minutes later but the goal was overturned after Detroit successfully challenged for offside.
Rookie defenseman Anton Johansson hit the post later in the first period while making his NHL debut. Detroit put more pressure on Garand in the second period and Marco Kasper fought Durzi midway through the period. John Gibson kept Detroit close by making 19 saves.
The crowd directed its frustration at owner Chris Ilitch after Durzi’s goal. Some fans began chanting for the team to be sold as frustration with the organization became part of the atmosphere inside Little Caesars Arena. The crowd became more supportive as Detroit generated chances later in the game.
Garand finished with 22 saves according to the NHL and recorded the first shutout of his NHL career.
Detroit managed only two shots on goal during the third period. Eeli Tolvanen scored an empty-net goal with 1:16 remaining in the game to complete the scoring for the Rangers. The goal was Tolvanen’s second of the season.
The Red Wings’ season opener was marked by a lack of offensive production and fan dissatisfaction. Detroit will remain at home for its next game against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. New York returns home to face the Utah Mammoth.
IMAGE: Defensemen Eric Staal in Front of Net Waiting for Puck from Washington Capitals vs. Red Wings – Billy Sabatini – All-Pro Reels. Photo: All-Pro Reels / Wikimedia, taken 2021-10-27, CC BY-SA 2.0