TEAM EDITORIAL

The Detroit Red Wings have opened the 2026–27 season 0–2–0, leaving them without a point after consecutive home defeats. They were shut out 2–0 by the New York Rangers in the opener before falling 3–2 to the Winnipeg Jets, a result that exposed both their competitiveness at five-on-five and their vulnerability on special teams. Detroit generated 35 shots against Winnipeg and created more even-strength chances, but could not finish enough of them to overcome an early deficit.

The penalty kill has been the clearest concern. Winnipeg scored on all three of its power-play opportunities, accounting for every one of its goals and forcing Detroit to chase the game. Head coach Todd McLellan acknowledged that the Red Wings produced opportunities but lacked polish around the net. Viktor Arvidsson scored Detroit’s first goal of the season, while Emmitt Finnie also found the net; John Gibson made 24 saves in his Detroit debut.

The slow start has intensified unease around the organization, with frustrated home fans directing “sell the team” chants toward ownership. Questions surrounding Dylan Larkin’s availability and Simon Edvinsson’s situation have added to the scrutiny, although Detroit’s immediate challenge is more practical: convert its five-on-five chances and stabilize the penalty kill. The Red Wings next host the Ottawa Senators on October 6, with Ottawa entering at 1–0–0.