Detroit \u2014 The Detroit Red Wings ended the preseason Saturday on a winning and entertaining note.<\/p>\n
Dylan Larkin scored his second power-play goal of the night, at 3 minutes, 23 seconds of overtime, giving the Wings a dramatic 6-5 victory<\/p>\n
Albert Johansson’s goal with 29.7 seconds left in regulation time \u2014 the Wings had pulled goaltender John GIbson for an extra skater \u2014 tied the score 5-5, capping a furious rally for the Wings (5-3 preseason).<\/p>\n
But as the preseason enters its final hours, the main suspense centers on who the Wings will keep to begin the regular season, and whether there’s room for young players Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (two goals), Axel Sandin-Pellikka (two assists) and Emmitt Finnie.<\/p>\n
All three closed out the exhibition season with impressive games again, giving the Wings plenty to think about before Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline to solidify rosters.<\/p>\n
“All good problems to have, aren’t they?” coach Todd McLellan said. “I’m really happy with all three of them. We might as well bundle all of them and put them in a package. They’ve all competed from day one until (now). They’ve all improved, and confidence level has gone up. The group has been very accepting of them. They believe the three of them can help the group, which is always a good sign.<\/p>\n
“They’ve opened up some eyes.”<\/p>\n
Brandsegg-Nygard scored his third goal of the preseason to open the scoring, knocking in a centering pass from J.T. Compher. Brandsegg-Nygard added his fourth goal in the third period, one-timing a pass from Axel Sandin-Pellikka on the power play, cutting Toronto’s lead to 4-3.<\/p>\n
The preseason went about as well as Brandsegg-Nygard (2024 first-round draft pick) could have hoped.<\/p>\n
“I would say so,” said Brandsegg-Nygard, as to whether he felt he showed the Wings what he’s capable of.<\/p>\n
Brandsegg-Nygard will patiently await the Wings’ roster decision.<\/p>\n
“I know we’ll be with the team (Saturday) and probably have a meeting or something (Sunday), with the day off, and we’ll see (what happens),” Brandsegg-Nygard said.<\/p>\n
McLellan admitted that Brandsegg-Nygard, in particular, has done everything possible to make a roster.<\/p>\n
“Every night he keeps getting better and better,” McLellan said. “He’s made an impact on the game. Yes, scoring, but even with his heaviness and his grind component to his game is something we appreciate. He’s done a real good job.”<\/p>\n
Sandin-Pellikka, who happens to be living with Brandsegg-Nygard currently, will also stay as composed as possible before learning his fate.<\/p>\n
“I haven’t thought about the end that much,” Sandin-Pellikka said. “I’m happy we won and it was a good crowd out there (Saturday) and it was a fun game to play in. I have no clue (about the future). I probably won’t get that much sleep. I’ll think about what will happen. I’m ready for whatever and we’ll see what happens.”<\/p>\n
Larkin cut the Leafs’ lead to 5-4 with a power-play goal \u2014 the Wings had a two-man advantage and pulled the goaltender \u2014 at 17 minutes, 19 seconds.<\/p>\n
Toronto’s Michael Pezzetta (16:03) and Alex Nylander (16:57) scored goals 54 seconds apart late in the second period \u2014 both long-range goals on goaltender John Gibson \u2014 to break a 2-2 tie. But the Wings had a rally of their own in the third period.<\/p>\n