MicrosoftTeams-image (42)

DETROIT -- Welcome back, Hockeytown faithful.

The Detroit Red Wings will play their 2022-23 preseason home opener Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena against the Chicago Blackhawks. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m., with broadcast coverage on Bally Sports Detroit Extra in addition to the Red Wings Radio Network and WWJ 950.
The Red Wings opened their exhibition slate Tuesday night on the road, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-2, at PPG Paints Arena. Five different players scored for Detroit, led by Dominik Kubalik, who recorded two special-teams goals.
"There's still things we need to improve on, that's for sure," Kubalik said. "It was the first game, but I think so far, pretty good."

Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said he's pleased that players are executing lessons learned from practice.
"Huge credit to the guys," Lalonde said. "They're focused right now on what we're working out on the ice. There are things we're working on in practice that are translating into games, which is a positive."
Detroit will look to continue that trend against the Blackhawks, but its lineup will look completely different from Tuesday's group because of the split squad preseason format.
Lalonde said separate lineups are a great opportunity for players to get reps.
"I think you're going to find guys getting looks and opportunities because of the split squad," Lalonde said. "We like to look at everyone."

And according to Mortiz Seider, the veterans and the fresh faces are quickly forming chemistry.
"We make it really easy for the new guys coming in," Seider said. "It's a really harmonic locker room and I think everyone got a really warm welcome here. I think you can see that everyone is walking around with a smile and hyped up for our first game at home."
Lalonde echoed Seider's excitement, describing Little Caesars Arena as a "true home-ice advantage."
"It's one of the best fanbases and everyone knows that historically," Lalonde said. "It's just exciting."