COLUMBUS -- In the 2026-27 preseason opener for both Eastern Conference clubs, and the front end of a back-to-back road set for the visitors, the Detroit Red Wings fell 1-0 in a shootout to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Monday night.
“We incorporated some things we’ve been working on and executed on it,” Detroit head coach Todd McLellan said. “The penalty kill did its job. I thought the goaltending was really good. I’d like to see us have a little more connectivity offensively. I think we created some chances, and there were some there that we gave up simply because of some sloppy passing, but I hope that’ll come later on.”
The Red Wings used two goaltenders, with Daniil Tarasov – the 27-year-old signed a one-year, free-agent contract with the club this summer – stopping all 15 shots he faced in two periods, and Michal Postava making 10 saves in the third. For the Blue Jackets, netminders Jet Greaves and Phoenix Copley combined to turn away 18 shots.
“I thought (Tarasov) was fantastic,” McLellan said. “New team, first night out. Just played a real solid game.
Detroit found itself short-handed 4:27 into the first period when Anton Johansson was sent off for slashing in the defensive zone, but its penalty kill held Columbus off the scoreboard. Then, at 13:17, the Red Wings drew their first power play of the night after Jack Williams was called for holding against Michael Rasmussen, but they couldn’t capitalize, and the first 20 minutes ended scoreless.
The second period featured even more special teams action, as each club had another chance on the man advantage before the 11-minute mark, but neither could solve the opposing goaltender. Things got chippy late in the frame when Kienan Draper and Luke Tuch dropped the gloves at 15:40, though the score remained a 0-0 deadlocked through 40 minutes.
The second fight of the night broke out after Dominik Shine laid a hit on Guillaume Richard, prompting Max McCue to challenge the 33-year-old captain of the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins in Detroit’s offensive zone with 2:07 remaining in the third period.
Overtime also ended without any scoring, sending Monday night’s exhibition clash to a shootout. Conor Garland beat Postava blocker-side for the lone tally, while Copley stood tall against Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Nate Danielson and John Leonard.
“It’s always nice not playing against your own guys and actually being able to try to be physical,” Jacob Bernard-Docker said. “I thought we actually did pretty well, for the most part. Obviously, there’s going to be some learning curves here in the preseason but that’s what it’s for. We’ll work out the kinks.”
From a special-teams perspective, Detroit went an impressive 5-for-5 on the penalty kill but 0-for-3 on the power play.
“You saw guys selling out, and that’s always a good sign in the preseason if you’re willing to put your body on the line,” Bernard-Docker said. “Obviously, structurally there’s going to be some things to clean up but I think our effort and our willingness to go on the PK, and be aggressive, was great.”
NEXT UP: The Red Wings will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night.
POSTGAME QUOTES
McLellan on Postava’s play between the pipes
“He made a couple of really good saves, especially in overtime when we went down 4-on-3. He did a really good job there. Not the easiest task to fly in the day of the game, sit for two periods and play the last 25 minutes. But, he stepped up.”
McLellan on building chemistry and communication throughout the preseason
“There’s a lot of ways you can communicate before you can get out on the shift. You’re obviously talking about a focus or maybe what your line’s identity is. And then when your on the ice, everybody thinks communication is just verbal but it’s reading and anticipating where the play is going to go.”
Bernard-Docker on how the group can continue getting more comfortable and confident this week
“Just talk. Obviously, we’re familiar with each other so that always helps. But honestly, it’s cliché. It’s a lot of talking and kind of just going over stuff with the new system. I think the guys did a good job tonight.”
