Rangers Face Devils in First Battle of the Hudson Without Shesterkin

1 month ago 4

The NHL’s Thursday night slate features 11 games, but the primary focus rests on the Prudential Center as the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils meet for the first “Battle of the Hudson” of the season. The matchup serves as a critical early-season test for a Rangers team forced to navigate the remainder of the 2026-27 campaign without their franchise cornerstone.

Goaltender Igor Shesterkin is officially out for the season following a right knee injury. With the star netminder sidelined, the Rangers are expected to start Dylan Garand tonight. The Devils enter the contest as -134 moneyline favorites, while the Rangers sit at +121. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 PM ET puck drop.

A hockey goalie's glove resting on the ice.

Dylan Garand is projected to start for the Rangers with sidelined.

National Broadcast: Flyers vs. Red Wings

Beyond the rivalry in New Jersey, the official NHL schedule features a national broadcast as the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Detroit Red Wings. Scheduled for 7:30 PM ET, the game will be available via Hulu and Disney+.

Both teams are looking to establish footing in a season that marks the league’s transition to a new 84-game regular-season format. This expanded schedule has already begun to test roster depth across the league, particularly for teams dealing with early injuries or significant off-season turnover.

McDavid and the Utah Mammoth

At 9:00 PM ET, the Edmonton Oilers travel to face the Utah Mammoth. The Mammoth are hosting an Edmonton squad led by Connor McDavid.

McDavid has recorded 17 points through his first six games of the season. The Oilers’ visit to Utah also highlights the league’s shifting landscape following a busy 2026 off-season. Notable veteran movements include Mitch Marner’s debut season with the Vegas Golden Knights.