The Detroit Red Wings put together one of their most complete games on the preseason in their 4-2 victory of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
First Period
The Red Wings came out firing in the first, keeping play almost entirely in the Penguin’s defensive zone. Joe Veleno was especially active in the consistent offensive pressure, creating his own chances and retaining possession through some great puck protection. Despite plenty of shots, the game remained scoreless for a majority of the period.
With five minutes left in the period, the Red Wings had a chance on the power play, but the unit struggled to get consistent offensive pressure going. However, after the power play expired, Veleno earned his first points of the night, sneaking a pass from Taro Hirose behind his legs to Pius Suter at the front of the net, who buried it for the only goal of the first period.
Second Period
The Red Wings kicked off with a power play to start the period. A hooking call on the penguins gave Detroit 55 seconds of 5-on-3 hockey, but they couldn’t cash in. Just a few seconds later, Thomas Greiss was penalized for passing outside of his trapezoid, giving fans some 4-on-4 for a while. After their penalty expired, Pittsburgh had their own shot at the man advantage. But the Red Wings penalty kill played lights-out, refusing to let the Penguins get any sort of offense going.
Six minutes into the period, Filip Hronek controlled a loose puck at Pittsburgh’s blue line, blitzed the net and snapped a wrister past the goaltender to secure a two goal lead.
The Penguins finally found some chemistry on offense thanks to a power play opportunity, zipping the puck past Greiss to chop the lead down to one.
Third Period
Neither teams were able to get consistent offensive series going, but a breakaway chance allowed the Penguins to tie up the game, 2-2.
Fittingly, Veleno was the one to break the stalemate with under five minutes in the period, blasting a one-timer to the back of the net. Minutes later, Tyler Bertuzzi iced the game with an empty netter, securing a 4-2 victory for the Red Wings.
The Red Wings are back at it this Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres in their last game of the preseason.