In addition to goals and assists, the three young players pushing to be named to the Detroit Red Wings roster are also adding much-needed freshness.

This team seemed stale last spring when they missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season. Helped greatly by their younger players, the Red Wings didn’t seem stale Saturday night when they rallied from a two-goal deficit in the final 2:41 of regulation to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5 in overtime in the final preseason game for both teams.

“They’re energizing the group right now, really,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan. “…the guys are rooting for them. There’s a little life there that they get excited for them.”

Swedish defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka had the primary assist on Dylan Larkin‘s overtime goal and Norwegian forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard netted a pair of goals. Emmitt Finnie wasn’t on the scoresheet but was noticeable on most of his shifts. They all may be Red Wings on Monday.

Elmer Johansson, only in his second NHL season, scored with 31 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime

“Sometimes that takes (veterans) back to your first year, your first game,” McLellan said. “Maybe you’re Ben Chiarot or Dylan Larkin. And you played so many years, but it can take you back and you remember what it was like. And it’s invigorating.”

With four goals and three assists in seven games, Brandsegg-Nygard should be a lock to make the team. But it is plausible that all three will be named to the team by 5 p.m. Monday.  To add all three to the roster, GM Steve Yzerman will have drop a veteran or two. Perhaps someone is going on the injured list. This is the time when maneuvering to set your roster become critical.  Last year, Yzerman put Justin Holl on waivers to send him to the AHL. Will he do that again to make room for Sandin Pellikka.

Emmitt Finnie boasts four points, and Sandin Pellikka has three assists. When the overtime started, McLellan had Sandin Pellikka on the ice with Larkin and Lucas Raymond for the start-of-three.

Won’t Know Until Monday

It will be a couple of sleepless nights.  Brandsegg-Nygard and Sandin Pellikka room together. Hence, they share the anxiety.

“There’s nervousness, too,” McLellan said. “They lay down in bed, they don’t know, ‘Am I going to make it? Am I not going to make it. Where to a fit in ? They are phoning home. Their buddies are calling. There’s a lot of anxiety. Maybe when they come to the rink, they let it all go and play.”

They have all showed considered poise in their seven preseason games, but that doesn’t mean they know where they stand.

“I have no clue,” Sandin Pellikka said. “We’ll see. Probably won’t get that much sleep. Just think about what will happen. I’m ready for whatever and we’ll see what happens.”

Brandsegg-Nygard always looks comfortable going to the net. He seems amused that is listed among his many skills.

I feel like I played hockey for my whole life so I know where to net is,” he said