Rangers Capitalize on Tense Detroit Atmosphere in 2-0 Win
The New York Rangers arrived in Detroit with two games already under their belt, while the Red Wings were finally opening their season Friday night.
Instead of the excitement normally surrounding a home opener, Little Caesars Arena was filled with frustration as Detroit entered a new chapter both on and off the ice.
Frustration Boils Over in Detroit
The Red Wings have gone through significant organizational changes during the offseason.
Steve Yzerman moved into an advisory position, while assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff took over as the team’s interim general manager.
At the same time, the situation surrounding captain Dylan Larkin has added another layer of tension.
Larkin reportedly requested a trade during the offseason and subsequently lost the captaincy. Because of an injury, he was not in uniform for the opening-night introductions.
When his name was announced, portions of the Detroit crowd responded with a chorus of boos.
It created a noticeably tense atmosphere inside the building before the puck even dropped.
Rangers Take Advantage on Special Teams
New York benefited from the difficult environment early in the game.
The Rangers earned the first power-play opportunity of the night and wasted little time taking advantage.
Defenseman Sean Durzi stepped into the high slot and unleashed a powerful shot that beat Detroit’s goaltender, giving him his first goal since joining the Rangers.
The goal gave New York an early advantage while further quieting a Detroit crowd that had entered the night already frustrated with the state of the franchise.
A Challenging Start for Detroit
The circumstances surrounding the Red Wings created an unusual backdrop for their first game of the season.
Rather than beginning the campaign with a completely positive home-opening atmosphere, Detroit entered the night dealing with questions surrounding its front office, Larkin’s future and the team’s direction.
The Rangers, meanwhile, were able to use the early power play to establish momentum.
With New York already having two games of regular-season experience, Detroit was immediately facing a difficult test in its first game of the campaign.
The tense atmosphere inside Little Caesars Arena ultimately became part of the night’s story as the Rangers looked to build on their early-season momentum.
