PREVIEW: Red Wings host Penguins to kick off 2023-24 preseason

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings will begin their 2023-24 preseason schedule Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m., with broadcast coverage on Bally Sports Detroit Extra and the Red Wings Radio Network (WWJ Newsradio 950 in Detroit).

After concluding 2023 Training Camp in Traverse City on Monday, Detroit now enters the next critical phase of preparation for the 2023-24 regular season: facing NHL competition.

The Red Wings will play eight preseason games, featuring two contests each against the Penguins, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Second-year head coach Derek Lalonde said the home-and-home sets are opportunities for players to prove they belong on Detroit’s Opening Night roster.  

“Everyone is going to get plenty of game time,” Lalonde said. “Some more than others, obviously. There will be a purpose to that.”

Overall, Lalonde said he likes the way camp played out.  

“Even in the Red & White game, you could see a little more organization with our structure,” Lalonde said. “I know it’s a small thing, but even our sets and face-offs guys were on the same page. It looked organized and detailed. It’s still a huge work in progress.”

Applying lessons learned in Traverse City is what the Red Wings aim to “rinse and repeat” throughout the preseason, according to Lalonde.

“You’re just working off your process of improving from the games and holes within your game,” Lalonde said. “Even from our Red & White game, we’ll be making some improvements, enhancements and where we want to be into Pittsburgh.”

The Red Wings’ expanded roster currently stands at 54 players, and features a combination of veterans, rookies and tryouts. Lalonde said he plans to use the entire preseason slate to experiment with line combinations and defense pairs.

“We’ll like to have our group by that last exhibition game on that Saturday (Oct. 7 vs. Toronto),” Lalonde said. “Probably a few extra guys hanging around then, maybe make a decision off that game. That’s probably the target.”