After defeating the Lightning 5-1 on Thursday night, the Rangers will head to Detroit to face the Red Wings on Friday night. New York has already played two games on the young season, while this will be the season opener for Detroit. The Rangers fell to the Bruins 3-0 in their opener on Tuesday, but bounced back in a major way with an emphatic 5-1 win over the Lightning on Thursday. New York looked much-improved in the offensive zone, as the addition of Pavel Dorofeyev seems to be going well so far. Dorofeyev potted 37 goals with the Golden Knights last season and figures to take on a leading role in a New York offensive attack desperate to light the lamp early and often this season. The Rangers ranked 23rd in the NHL, averaging 2.87 goals per game last season, but with Dorofeyev now in the mix, that number should increase in 2026-27.
The Red Wings have a lot going on as they enter their season opener. Dylan Larkin has been stripped of the captaincy and has been ruled out for this matchup with an upper body injury. Simon Edvinsson, Detroit's No. 2 defenseman, is in a contract holdout and is currently back in Sweden. That isn't exactly ideal.
With so many moving pieces and chaos in the Red Wings organization right now, Detroit will start the new campaign in tough fashion. Plus, the Rangers have already had two games to get familiar with one another and build some team chemistry. The Red Wings have not had that luxury, which could put them in an uphill battle. Fade Detroit and back New York in this contest.
Rangers vs Red Wings prediction: Rangers ML (+105) available at time of publishing. Playable to +100.
