Red Wings Take Advantage of Rangers’ Home Woes in a Statement Win at MSG
The Detroit Red Wings didn’t just bounce back on Sunday night — they took control. Just 24 hours after collapsing in Buffalo, Detroit responded with its most complete performance of the season, grinding out a 2–1 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
And here’s the key context:
The Rangers entered the game with one of the NHL’s best road records… but one of the worst home marks in the league.
Detroit made sure that trend didn’t change.
This wasn’t a war. It wasn’t even chaotic until after the buzzer.
This was the Red Wings dictating pace, territory, and tempo for nearly every shift.
Wings 2, Rangers 1 — Stat Capsule
Detroit Red Wings (11–7–1)
Shots: 42
Power Play: 1-for-5
Penalty Kill: 1-for-2
Goaltending: Cam Talbot — 18 saves on 19 shots
Scoring:
- Alex DeBrincat (PP)
- Lucas Raymond (GWG)
New York Rangers
Shots: 19
Power Play: 1-for-2
Goaltending: Jonathan Quick — 40 saves on 42 shots
Scoring:
- Mika Zibanejad (PP)
A Complete 60 — Exactly What McLellan Demanded
After Saturday night’s collapse in Buffalo, head coach Todd McLellan publicly challenged his team’s discipline and focus. Less than 24 hours later, his players delivered a direct answer.
Detroit didn’t sit back.
Detroit didn’t get cute.
Detroit didn’t panic.
They suffocated the Rangers with long offensive-zone cycles, relentless pressure, and smart puck management — the exact opposite of the breakdowns from the night before.
McLellan agreed:
“We saw resilience. We checked for our chances, stayed smart, and didn’t have to play reckless. This was exactly the response we needed.”
Raymond’s Patience Wins It
Lucas Raymond’s late goal didn’t just win the game — it showed star-level poise.
With under four minutes remaining, Moritz Seider forced a turnover that quickly led to Dylan Larkin moving the puck to Raymond on the right wing. What followed was a veteran-caliber play:
Raymond circled behind the net, sweeping around to the left side.
Jonathan Quick hugged the right post, bracing for a wraparound.
Raymond waited… waited… waited…
Then, with Quick still tucked tight, he stepped out into space and calmly buried the puck into a wide-open net.
No panic.
No rush.
Just patience and brilliance.
It was Raymond’s sixth of the season — and one of his smartest.
Dominance, Not Survival
Unlike the Buffalo game, Detroit didn’t need luck to win. They controlled the game:
- 42 shots on goal
- Sustained pressure for long stretches
- Only 19 shots allowed
- Strong defensive structure the entire night
The Rangers looked like the home team that’s struggled all year.
The Wings looked like the confident, composed road team.
Cam Talbot was sharp when needed, making 18 saves and giving Detroit zero drama in their own zone.
DeBrincat Keeps Rolling
Before Raymond’s heroics, Alex DeBrincat opened the scoring on the power play, poking home a loose puck for his ninth of the season.
He now has:
- 8 goals
- 5 assists
- In his last 10 games
He’s heating up at exactly the right time.
The Post-Game Brawl
The fireworks didn’t come during the game — they came after.
When the final horn sounded, Mason Appleton flipped the puck into the empty Rangers net, something frowned upon in hockey’s unwritten code.
Jonathan Quick did not like it.
He rushed at Appleton, benches emptied, and chaos broke loose.
It will probably result in fines, but it didn’t overshadow what mattered:
Detroit played tough, disciplined, and unafraid — without crossing the line during the actual game.
Looking Ahead
The Wings now move to 11-7-1, riding a three-game point streak and snapping back into form at the perfect time.
Next up:
Seattle Kraken — Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena
Detroit is 6-3-1 at home and will look to build on the momentum from a true 60-minute win.
This wasn’t one lucky bounce.
This was a response, an identity game…
And maybe the night this team finally turned the page.
Did you feel the Wings made amends for the giveaway against the Sabres the night before? Let us know by dropping a comment below or— Join the conversation in the Red Wings Wheelhouse — where fans break down every goal, every shift, and every spark from tonight’s 2–1 win over the Rangers.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
