Rookie Dylan Garand posts first NHL shutout as Rangers beat Red Wings 2‑0

Garand’s 23‑save performance gave New York a 2‑0 win in Detroit, his first start of the season and first shutout in the NHL.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 03 Oct 2026 12:04:27 GMT

Dylan Garand recorded 23 saves for his first career NHL shutout as the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2‑0 on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, according to the Associated Press and the New York Post.

What happened

The Rangers opened the first period with a power‑play goal by defenseman Sean Durzi at 5:12, fed by Gabe Perreault from the high slot. In the third period, forward Eeli Tolvanen added an empty‑net goal with 1:16 remaining to seal the 2‑0 victory. Garand, making his first start of the season, stopped all 23 shots he faced.

What the reports add

The Associated Press noted that Garand was starting after posting a 2‑0‑1 record in three appearances last season and that the Rangers were playing their third game of the season, a back‑to‑back after a 5‑1 home win over Tampa Bay the night before.
The New York Post reported that the Rangers placed veteran backup Joonas Korpisalo on injured reserve with an undisclosed lower‑body injury on Thursday, prompting Garand’s recall just five days after he had been cut and assigned to the AHL Hartford.
Both outlets described a hostile atmosphere for the Red Wings: former captain Dylan Larkin, in street clothes due to an upper‑body injury, was booed during introductions, and fans chanted “Sell the team!” after Durzi’s goal, directing the chant at owner Chris Ilitch.
John Gibson made 19 saves for Detroit, and the Red Wings’ last six shots before intermission failed to find the net.

What was said

“Garand may not have officially won the No. 2 job out of camp, but the 24‑year‑old sure looked capable of changing that following a 23‑save performance Friday night.”

— New York Post, reporting on the impact of Garand’s performance on the backup‑goaltender race.

“Mike Sullivan said he and Garand have had numerous conversations throughout the entire process, with the Rangers head coach assuring that the Canadian goaltender knows the organization believes in him.”

— New York Post, quoting head coach Mike Sullivan.

How it came about

Garand entered the Rangers’ 2026‑27 training camp as a leading candidate for the backup net‑minder role, a storyline first covered by Felo News on Sep. 17. After being waived and sent to Hartford to start the season, he was recalled when Korpisalo was placed on injured reserve, giving Garand the opportunity to start against Detroit. The Rangers’ competition for the No. 2 spot behind Igor Shesterkin, highlighted in preseason coverage, became moot after Garand’s shutout performance.

Key facts

Dylan Garand made 23 saves for his first NHL shutout (winnipegfreepress.com)
New York Rangers beat Detroit Red Wings 2‑0 (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sean Durzi scored on a first‑period power play (winnipegfreepress.com)
Eeli Tolvanen added an empty‑net goal (winnipegfreepress.com)
Garand was named the backup goalie after Joonas Korpisalo was placed on injured reserve (nypost.com)