Red Wings Fall 1-0 to Blue Jackets in Preseason Opener
Detroit's penalty kill held firm, but the Red Wings missed their chance in the shootout against Columbus.
Key points
- Detroit Red Wings lost 1-0 to Columbus Blue Jackets in a shootout during the 2026-27 preseason opener.
- Detroit’s penalty kill was perfect, stopping all five chances, while the power play went 0-for-3.
- Daniil Tarasov stopped all 15 shots in two periods, and Michal Postava made 10 saves in the third.
The ice at Nationwide Arena held its breath until the final whistle. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker skated past the blue line, his breath visible in the cold air, after a 1-0 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was a quiet start to the 2026-27 preseason, a test of grit rather than glory.
Detroit’s penalty kill stood like a wall, blocking all five chances Columbus threw at it. Yet the offense stalled, leaving the team without a score in regulation and overtime. The puck sat motionless on the red line, a stark reminder of the work ahead for the back-to-back road set.
Goaltenders define the night's rhythm
Daniil Tarasov, fresh off a one-year free-agent contract, commanded the net for two periods. He stopped all 15 shots he faced, his movements sharp and deliberate. Michal Postava took over in the third, saving 10 shots and holding his ground in overtime. Columbus split the duty between Jet Greaves and Phoenix Copley, who combined for 18 saves.
Special teams show early promise
Head coach Todd McLellan praised the penalty kill’s execution, noting the team’s willingness to put bodies on the line. The Red Wings went 5-for-5 in that department, a solid foundation. However, the power play went 0-for-3, struggling to convert chances into goals despite creating opportunities.
Fights and friction mark the build
Tempers flared late in the second period when Kienan Draper and Luke Tuch dropped the gloves. The second fight erupted in the third, sparked by a hit on Guillaume Richard. Max McCue challenged the Grand Rapids Griffins captain, adding a layer of physicality to the exhibition. Bernard-Docker noted that playing against opponents, rather than teammates, allowed the team to test their physical limits.
