PREVIEW: Red Wings host Capitals Saturday for preseason rematch

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings will play the first half of a preseason back-to-back on Saturday night, hosting the Washington Capitals at Little Caesars Arena.

Puck drop between the Red Wings (1-1-0) and Capitals (1-0-1) is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Detroit. 

On Thursday at Washington, Detroit took a 1-0 lead in the second period before the Capitals scored four straight goals on their way to recording a 4-3 win. Robby Fabbri scored twice, and Daniel Sprong also found the back of the net for the Red Wings, while goalies Alex Lyon and prospect Sebastian Cossa combined for 25 saves.

“It’s tough, you do care about the outcome, but you care about maybe some individuals and the overall structure,” Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde said. “But there were some positives about the pushback we had in the end.”

The Red Wings dressed a prospect-heavy lineup on Thursday, giving Lalonde and his staff a look at some of the younger, developing players in Detroit’s system.

“You need those experiences,” Lalonde said. “It’s just the reality of it. Cossa goes in there on the road against a very good, deep roster. It’s a 2-1 game and he needs those experiences, but you don’t want him to fail or pile up on him. I thought he did good.”

And continued growth, according to Andrew Copp, is not limited to just the inexperienced players.

“Growth is for everybody,” Copp said. “One of the things I got to see up close and personal was Blake Wheeler go from a 50-point guy to a 100-point guy in Winnipeg. That happened at 35 (years old). There’s no point where you think, ‘Okay, I’ve hit my ceiling.’ There are always ways to get better.”

After Saturday, the Red Wings will have five more preseason games remaining before kicking off the regular season at New Jersey on Oct. 12.

“Our expectations are high,” Fabbri said about the 2023-24 campaign. “So are everyone’s. We’re looking to come out ready to go.”

Lalonde updates Chiarot's status

Speaking to the media after Saturday's morning skate, Lalonde said that Ben Chiarot (personal reasons) has returned to the club.

"Ben actually practiced today," Lalonde said. "I think he was anxious to maybe play tomorrow, but we'll probably wait and maybe get a look at him on Tuesday."