# Devils and Red Wings seek an offensive reset in Detroit

New Jersey arrives after a loss to Ottawa while Detroit tries to improve a slow-scoring start.

By The Signal Edition | Sports / Ice hockey
Published: 2026-10-13T22:05:46.389Z
Updated: 2026-10-13T22:05:46.389Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/devils-detroit-offense-yk6si0

## Summary
- New Jersey entered 2-3-0; Detroit was 1-3-1.
- Detroit’s attack averaged two goals per game entering the matchup.
- The game opens a 16-game NHL slate.

## A meeting of slow starters

The New Jersey Devils visit the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on October 13 with both teams seeking a stronger offensive start to the season. Inside The Rink listed New Jersey at 2-3-0 with four points and Detroit at 1-3-1 with three. The scheduled 6 p.m. Eastern game is being shown on ESPN and SN+, placing two clubs with losing records at the beginning of a busy league-wide evening. [1](https://insidetherink.com/nhl-game-preview-new-jersey-devils-at-detroit-red-wings-with-line-combinations-10-13-2026/)

## Detroit’s scoring problem

Detroit Hockey Now reported that the Red Wings were averaging two goals per game, ranking 30th in the NHL. John Gibson was projected to return in goal after Daniil Tarasov impressed in his first start for the club. Andrew Copp had one point and nine shots through five games, leaving Detroit looking for greater contributions beyond its leading forwards. The club plays seven of its first eight games at home, so the early schedule offers familiar surroundings without having produced consistent results. [2](https://detroithockeynow.com/detroit-red-wings-nhl-preview/)

## A quick turnaround for New Jersey

The Hockey Writers reported that New Jersey lost 4-1 to Ottawa on Monday and is playing the second half of a back-to-back. Detroit last played Saturday, losing 1-0 in a shootout to Montreal, and had two days off. Arseny Gritsyuk supplied the Devils’ only goal against Ottawa. That difference in rest forms part of the matchup’s context, though it does not establish which team will prevail. [3](https://thehockeywriters.com/devils-game-day-preview-kicking-off-frozen-frenzy-in-detroit/)

## Lineup and schedule context

New Jersey confirmed Johnathan Kovacevic’s season debut and Stefan Noesen’s return to the lineup, replacing the ill Luke Evangelista. [4](https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/preview-2026020090)

## A full night of hockey

The Hockey Writers described this matchup as the opening game of ESPN’s Frozen Frenzy, a 16-game slate involving all 32 NHL teams with staggered starts. The Devils then return home to face the New York Rangers on October 15. The current report concerns the teams’ entering records and pregame conditions; it does not present a final score or treat projected goaltenders as confirmed results. [3](https://thehockeywriters.com/devils-game-day-preview-kicking-off-frozen-frenzy-in-detroit/)

## Reporting sources
1. [Inside The Rink: NHL Game Preview: New Jersey Devils at Detroit Red Wings](https://insidetherink.com/nhl-game-preview-new-jersey-devils-at-detroit-red-wings-with-line-combinations-10-13-2026/) (2026-10-13)
2. [Detroit Hockey Now: Devils at Red Wings: Notes, Lines, Goalies, How to Watch](https://detroithockeynow.com/detroit-red-wings-nhl-preview/) (2026-10-13)
3. [The Hockey Writers: Devils Game Day Preview: Kicking Off Frozen Frenzy in Detroit](https://thehockeywriters.com/devils-game-day-preview-kicking-off-frozen-frenzy-in-detroit/) (2026-10-13)
4. [New Jersey Devils: Roster Changes for Devils vs. Red Wings](https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/preview-2026020090) (2026-10-13)