Maybe all of these preseason games caught up with the Red Wings.
Playing their third game in four nights — and with another game Saturday afternoon in Buffalo — the Wings (2-1-0) lost a third-period lead Friday in Pittsburgh, the Penguins defeating the Wings, 3-2.
Former Red Wing Robby Fabbri, in Pittsburgh’s camp on a professional tryout, tied the game 2-2 at 4 minutes, 46 seconds of the third period and Philip Tomasino scored a power-play goal at 9:54, giving the Penguins a 3-2 lead.
John Leonard scored both of the Wings’ goals (one on the power play). Leonard, 26, signed as a free agent last summer as depth for the organization, last played in the NHL in Arizona in 2023-24. Leonard has six goals, 17 assists in 70 NHL games.
The Wings were 1-for-3 on the power play, including failing on a late third-period opportunity. The Wings killed 3-of-4 Pittsburgh power plays.
Goaltender John Gibson, the Wings’ key acquisition in the off season, made his Wings’ debut. Gibson played half of the game and stopped 13-of-14 shots.
Gibson was replaced by Michael Postava, who played his second game in two nights. Postava stopped 4-of-6 shots, allowing both Pittsburgh goals in the third period.
Both teams had 20 shots on goal.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
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