DETROIT — And on the Rangers' third game in four nights, Dylan Garand pitched his first career shutout.
The rookie netminder will be the Blueshirts' backup goalie to start October after all following Joonas Korpisalo's placement on injured reserve before their home opener. Just two practices later in Hartford, Garand was already on his way back to New York before he made his season debut and anchored a 2-0 win over the Red Wings on Friday night.
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Suddenly, the so-called competition for the spot behind Igor Shesterkin during preseason is irrelevant.
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 22-save performance Friday night.
"Definitely craziest week of my life, honestly," said Garand, who became the first Rangers goalie since Henrik Lundqvist (2005-06) to earn at least one point in each of his first NHL games. "Cut on Sunday. Waivers Monday. No claim. Go down to Hartford, get an apartment. And then, you know, two practices and back up and playing on Friday. Crazy, crazy week."
The young goalie was particularly sharp in his season debut. He manned the net with the sort of laser focus that comes when there are people to prove wrong.
New York Rangers goalie Dylan Garand makes a save in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After proclaiming his desire to never go back to the AHL at the end of last season, Garand was sequestered from the main NHL group during training camp. It quickly became clear the backup job was Korpisalo's to lose from the moment the Rangers acquired him from Boston on July 1.
"As good as I can," Garand said of how he handled the demotion. "Proud of myself for the way I just kind of left it out there, and you know, it was out of my control. So I just focused on what I could control, I did that. Obviously, what happened, happened, and it is what it is. Just happy to be back here. It was a great win tonight."
Concerns over the possibility of Garand getting claimed may have been overblown, but they weren't unwarranted. On the same waiver wire last weekend, the Jets claimed Clay Stevenson and the Devils picked up Remi Poirier — two of three young goalies who were taken off waivers this preseason.
Had Garand been claimed, this Korpisalo injury could've been a devastating blow to the Rangers.
Detroit Red Wings center Michael Rasmussen (27) tries to deflect the puck in front of New York Rangers goalie Dylan Garand in the second period of a game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Instead, the Rangers were fortunate to recall Garand just five days after cutting him.
"It speaks volumes for his character," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's just a good person, first and foremost. He loves hockey. You can see it. I can see it every time I see him walk through the door. The way he works on his game. He's a fierce competitor. He wants to play in the NHL. I understand that … he's battling. He's controlling what he can. It's hard. Pro sports are competitive. Things don't always go your way and you've got to be able to work your way through the ebbs and flows of a career.
"The thing I love about Dylan is he controls those things that are within his power. He's got a great attitude. His effort is always where it needs to be. I really have a lot of admiration for him for how he handles his circumstance."
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.
Dylan Garand (33) of the New York Rangers celebrates his shutout with teammates after a game against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. The Rangers shut out Detroit 2-0. NHLI via Getty Images
The belief Garand already has in himself, however, has been evident since he made his NHL debut late last season.
Friday night only gave him even more validation.
