Three takeaways from Red Wings' 4-3 win over Blackhawks

Bobby Ryan came on as the extra skater as the clock crossed under the two-minute mark in the game.
Seconds later, he was standing to the left of the Blackhawks' net, raising his stick in celebration after tying the game at three.

Ryan, 34, is the sort of player the preseason exists for. He's with the Detroit Red Wings on a tryout contract, looking to make an impression to earn a roster spot.

Consider that done - at least to the extent it can be after one game.
Ryan was already having a strong game in an eventual 4-3 shootout win for the Red Wings. The goal amplified it. When Ryan scored the clincher in the shootout, that cemented it.
Here are three takeaways from Wednesday's opener.

Mitchell Stephens scores, brings energy

Over the weekend, Mitchell Stephens opened some eyes by scoring twice during the Red Wings' Red and White scrimmage. In the first preseason game, he picked up right where he left off.
Early in the second period, after Detroit had given up two goals in a two-minute span and the game looked to be slipping away, Stephens found himself free on a breakaway. His wrist shot beat Kevin Lankinen to the far post, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Stephens' energy and skating was also noteworthy, particularly on the forecheck. There were a handful of times where he managed to keep the puck in the Red Wings' offensive zone, or create Chicago turnovers that led to chances.
All we've seen so far is a single preseason game and a scrimmage, so it's important not to overreact. But Stephens is in a fight for playing time, and a consistent spot on the fourth line.
It's hard to imagine he hasn't put himself in a good spot based on what we've seen so far.

Adam Erne impresses as playmaker

It's easy for Adam Erne to fly under the radar. But in Wednesday's preseason opener, playing alongside Michael Rasmussen and Vladislav Namestnikov, Erne was on the Red Wings' top line and made an immediate impact.
Early on, he picked up a shot on goal, then a few shifts later, followed it up with an impressive assist. With his back to the net in the left corner, Erne backhanded a centering pass to Rasmussen, who hit a one-time shot into the goal to make it 1-0.
As a whole, that line was certainly the most involved for the Red Wings early on. Rasmussen picked up a penalty for interference - which Detroit killed - right after the goal. That trio was also on the ice when Dominik Kubalik tied the game for the Blackhawks at 16:50 in the first.
When the Red Wings got on the power play for the first time in the third period, Erne was on the first unit, along with Rasmussen, Bobby Ryan, Filip Hronek and Taro Hirose. Though Detroit failed to score on the man advantage, that group created some good chances in two shifts, and it'll be worth paying attention to what they can do for the rest of the preseason.
On Ryan's tying goal, Erne was there again, setting up Ryan with his second assist of the night. In a five-year career, Erne has just 26 assists - never more than 13 in a season. It's worth watching whether that continues to grow as a part of his game.

Young defenders show room for growth

The worst stretch of the game for the Red Wings came early in the second period, when the Blackhawks scored twice in two minutes to go up, 3-1.
On both of those goals, as well as Dominik Kubalik's first-period goal, the Red Wings had a pair of young defenders on the ice in Alex Cotton and Donovan Sebrango.
For both players, who are unlikely to start the year in Detroit, the goals will serve as an important learning experience. Cotton, in particular, seemed to be out of position on the first two, leading to Kubalik and Brandon Hagel getting free looks in front of the net.