Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Red Wings secured a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in their second preseason game of the 2025-26 NHL schedule at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday. The Red Wings featured a roster heavy with NHL regulars and outshot the Sabres 40-18.

Head coach Todd McLellan expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort, stating, "A real good hunting mentality. The tenacity from one job to the next was evident, I thought. It wasn't go do some work here and then kind of casually come out of it and be done. I thought we were connected on the ice -- five guys working together with a plan -- so that was good to see. Again, two different teams, two different nights. We saw it, so hopefully they're picking up that concept."

Goaltender Cam Talbot started for Detroit, making six saves before being replaced by prospect Michal Postava midway through the game. Postava stopped all 10 shots he faced. "I'm not thinking about if this is preseason or full season," Postava said. "I am trying 100 percent every game, so I am happy it worked well today and I need to continue."

Special teams played a significant role in scoring during the first half of the match. Andrew Copp created a turnover behind Buffalo’s net and set up Mason Appleton for a short-handed goal early in the first period. After Buffalo’s Noah Ostlund tied it on a power play less than a minute later, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård restored Detroit’s lead with a power-play goal.

McLellan commented on Brandsegg-Nygård’s performance: "It's real important for us to see him and for him to experience life in this environment... Part of camp is us learning and understanding how players react to different situations, how they tick, the amount of information they can take in. And in turn, they're learning a little bit about us... To provide a little bit of comfort in that while they're here is really important, and he's played very well."

Buffalo tied the game again on another power play when Josh Doan scored off Jack Quinn’s rebound early in the second period. However, Detroit responded quickly as captain Dylan Larkin capitalized on a loose puck near the crease to put his team ahead once more.

On Jacob Bernard-Docker's development after earning an assist on Larkin's goal, McLellan said: "I think his development has been good... He knows who he is now as a player and we're hoping to capitalize on that."

Moritz Seider extended Detroit's lead later in the period after winning possession behind Buffalo’s net; Elmer Soderblom and Jacob Truscott assisted on the play. McLellan described Seider as follows: "His physicality, durability and engine are all elite... I think he's got an incredible shot when it hits the net."

Lucas Raymond set up Copp for Detroit's fifth goal late in the second period after weaving through defenders; Copp batted home the rebound mid-air.

"We've talked about Copp and Compher, and the importance that they'll have to play on this team," McLellan said regarding his forwards’ roles moving forward. "We're pushing both of them... We've got to score more as a team there and he might as well lead the way."

No goals were scored in the third period; afterward both teams participated in an exhibition shootout.

On holding shootouts during preseason games at home venues McLellan explained: "The home team decides that... Some of the guys we used tonight, we wanted to see... But it's good to see what could be coming or what might already be here as far as shootout guys."

Detroit continues its preseason Friday against Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena.

Other comments from players included:

McLellan praised Axel Sandin-Pellikka's growth: "He seems to be getting better as it goes along. Incredible vision on the blue line and really, deception..."

Brandsegg-Nygård discussed adjusting physically: "I'm just trying to show that I'm willing to play hard to play here..."

He also reflected on playing with veterans: "I like it. It's cool to just see how they are on the ice and on the bench too..."

Postava spoke about his own progress: "I think it's a fast progress for me, but I would say that I'm happy and I need to continue this work and be better and better every day."