Detroit — It’s about time during the preseason for teams to get their collective game going and beginning hitting regular season stride.

The Red Wings didn’t look like that Monday, in a 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh at Little Caesars Arena.

The Wings looked slow and sluggish, and coach Todd McLellan wasn’t thrilled.

“I wasn’t really impressed with our team,” McLellan said. “We looked slow and sloppy. I don’t know which caused what. Sometimes the legs move you around the rink slow and sometimes the sloppiness causes you to be disjointed. We were both. They looked quicker and a little more determined on pucks.

“In the end, we got what we deserved.”

McLellan agrees it’s getting to be time for the NHL players to be game ready. The regular season begins Oct. 9 for the Wings. But they didn’t look like regular season ready against the Penguins.

“There were moments early in the game we were OK, then we faded,” McLellan said. “In the second (period), maybe four of five minutes left, we went after them a little bit, and at the end of the game we got excited about playing. But it was a pretty indifferent night for us.

“Some of the older players have to get their game going quickly. Almost a week from today we’re playing against real, real good teams and some guys, in my opinion, after watching them tonight, some of have played only a couple of games but they’re not ready to play yet.

BOX SCORE: Penguins 2, Red Wings 1

“It’ll be our job to have a chat with them as early as tomorrow and put them on notice.”

The Penguins dressed a predominately younger lineup, minus their prospective Hall of Famers, yet pretty much controlled the Wings, who dressed a slightly more veteran lineup.

Dominik Shine cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 2-1 with a third period goal at 16 minutes, 20 seconds, putting in a loose puck in front of Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry. The Wings had sustained pressure in the final two minutes after pulling goaltender John Gibson, but couldn’t get the tying goal.

Ben Kindel and Tommy Novak had Pittsburgh’s goals and Jarry stopped 22 shots

Gibson made 20 saves for the Wings.

“Pretty good,” said Gibson, of what he’s felt his preseason has been in two starts. “(Monday) was a little tough, scrambling and everything like that. It’s nice to get out there and get used to the building everything like that, getting my reps in and making sure I’m ready to go for the first one (game).”

The preseason, for Gibson, is about getting comfortable with his new teammates and seeing the play in front of him.

“It’s getting my reads down and learning little things, like how the guys play,” Gibson said. “For me, it’s tracking the puck and getting my reads down, and kind of seeing the game. When I’m on my game, I’m reading the play and going out there and just playing.”

McLellan has been pleased with what he’s seen from Gibson, the Wings’ most important off-season acquisition.

“Gibby has been fine,” McLellan said. “Some odd plays tonight. The second goal tonight, just bouncing around and it ends up at the side of the net. But he’s been pretty solid. He looks big and confident and looks excited. I’m not worried about him one bit.”

The Wings fell to 2-3-0 for the exhibition season. They play Tuesday in Chicago, before closing out the preseason with two games against Toronto.

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

@tkulfan

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