Updated Sept. 26, 2026, 11:10 p.m. ET
DETROIT — A nice comeback by the Red Wings in the preseason finale but it ultimately fell a bit short.
Now it’s on to the real games, the games that count, and who knows what that will look like after just approximately 10 days of practice and four exhibition games (two for veteran NHLers).
It’ll be interesting.
The Wings closed out their exhibition schedule Saturday, Sept. 26 with a 4-2 loss against Columbus at Little Caesars Arena.
BOX SCORE: Blue Jackets 4, Red Wings 2
Ben Chiarot and Michael Rasmussen scored third-period goals, cutting Columbus’ lead to 3-2. But Cole Sillinger’s empty-net goal with 10.8 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Blue Jackets.
The Wings ended the preseason with a 2-1-1 record.
“The bounce-back in the third period was awesome,” said defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who’s vying for a roster spot. “We had (offensive) chances before, but we didn’t execute. Our third period, we really showed (their best performance) and created chances and executed.
“We just fell short there and it was a good end to the game.”
With a lineup that looked potentially to be the one that begins the regular season on Friday, Oct. 2 against the New York Rangers, the Wings put 33 shots on Columbus goaltender Jet Greaves. They outshot Columbus, 33-22.
A couple turnovers led to Columbus goals. Moritz Seider’s errant pass led to Valeri Nichushkin’s goal at 18:44 of the first period, giving the Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead. Sandin-Pellikka’s pass through the middle of the ice was picked off and led to a Jack Williams goal, making it 3-0 early in the second period. Charlie Coyle opened the Columbus scoring with a power-play goal.
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“We played a real NHL team and I didn’t mind our game,” coach Todd McLellan said. “We were a little bit sloppy with the puck. Passing from A to B was sometimes at B’s feet or 2 feet in front of him and it cost us a couple of goals. But other than that, I didn’t think we were under siege. We had some scoring opportunities, and if it ends up on the stick a second earlier or a different angle, we have a chance to finish.
“I didn’t mind tonight’s game. It should set us up for a good week of practice and away we go.”
Rosters need to be turned it by Monday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. The Wings’ 23-man roster has some uncertainty to it currently with Dylan Larkin (upper body) injured, restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson unsigned, and young players like Sandin-Pellikka, Anton Johansson, Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Carter Mazur all fighting for possible available roster spots.
“What I can tell you is Monday the roster will go out and you’ll see names that could change real quick,” McLellan said “There could be paper moves or moves made for waiver reasons or something is in the hopper somewhere else that you have to buy time. We don’t play until Friday, so we have four days until we play, so there could be some movement.”
Wings add depth
The Wings added depth to the organization Saturday by claiming defenseman Andreas Englund off waivers.
Englund, 30, was waived by Calgary. He played three games with Nashville last season with no points. In 52 games with Milwaukee (AHL), Englund had 13 points (10 assists).
Englund (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) has played in 200 NHL games with Ottawa, Colorado, Chicago, Los Angeles and Nashville. He has two goals and 20 points, with 190 penalty minutes and minus-26 plus-minus rating.
McLellan coached Englund in Los Angeles.
“Eggie is an outstanding human being,” McLellan said. “He will fit into our room well. He works hard at his game. He’s played in the system that we are trying to put in. He’s physical and tough and he shepherds the group. We like all those attributes that he’ll bring.”
Calgary signed Englund on July 1 to a one-year, two-way contract with a $900,000 annual average value.
Englund is likely to begin the season in Grand Rapids.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan