The Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres faced off at Little Caesars Arena in the 3rd of 4 Detroit exhibition games on Thursday night.
At Little Caesars Arena, the Wings rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to tie the Buffalo Sabres 2-2, force overtime, and Alex DeBrincat, who had 8 shots, 11 shot attempts (and a fight), scored at 32 seconds of OT, on a 4-on-3 power play, to seal the deal:
Alex DeBrincat nets the overtime winner for the @DetroitRedWings! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/qaDBH7pvDj
— NHL (@NHL) September 25, 2026
Mid-season form 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/pAInmEhDhQ
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 25, 2026
Axel sandin Pellikka would score the 1-1 marker at 16:11 of the 1st (from Anton Johansson, who has 5 assists this preseason), and Sheldon Dries would tie the game 7:13 into the 3rd period on a tip-in of a point shot from Jacob Bryson.
Daniil Tarasov stopped 17 of 19 shots against, and was alert, responsive and sharp;
And the game was very scrappy, with Buffalo and Detroit both taking 7 penalties on the evening.
Enjoy the Tweetcap below!
PREGAME: Daniil Tarasov and Alex Lyon led their respective teams out onto the ice…
We’ve missed this pic.twitter.com/boPNocGUeo
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 24, 2026
The Red Wings posted a mixed lineup of veterans and vets with youngsters…
Tonight in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/jXYNQUon1h
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 24, 2026
The Sabres weren’t as “share-y” in terms of their line machinations…
Tonight's group for preseason game three in Detroit! #LetsGoBuffalo | https://t.co/Y1UUmSOslq pic.twitter.com/3LylJwaF0z
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 24, 2026
While I was on a call for my caregivers’ union, Red Wings assistant director of player development and interim GM of Grand Rapids Dan Cleary spoke with Daniella Bruce:
Dan Cleary, Assistant Director of Player Development for the @DetroitRedWings, talked with @daniellabruce_ before the first home preseason game of the season. pic.twitter.com/ketIvWWloE
— Detroit SportsNet (@WatchDSN) September 24, 2026
The teams dressed the following starters and rosters:

1ST PERIOD: Detroit came out with a fast, offensively-based game which challenged Alex Lyon and the Sabres from the first faceoff. Dominik Shine got a really goog wraparound chance, and the line of Raymond, Copp and DeBrincat did a good job of challenging Lyon.
Several of “the kids” generated good chances as well…
ASP with a nice cut and MBN with a good net front presence for a chance #LGRW pic.twitter.com/7zEs1mLSSA
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 24, 2026
GOAL, Buffalo 1-0: Off a strange bounce off the back boards, Jake Richard found Trevor Kuntar in front of Daniil Tarasov, and before the Red Wings could recover, Kuntar chipped the puck over Tarasov on 10:48 of the 1st period.
1-0 self inflicted pic.twitter.com/aDxVNU5UCi
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 24, 2026
Trevor Kuntar gettin' it done in front! 🚨#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/6ped2xujTp
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 24, 2026
As you can see, Axel Sandin Pellikka and Carter Mazur got tied up along the side boards, and Mazur turned over the puck to the Sabres’ forecheck. Chip, chase, rebound corralled, pumped out front, goal.
Heavy Anton Johansson shot #LGRW pic.twitter.com/cAP9IgyMOL
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 24, 2026
PENALTY, Buffalo, 14:57 1st period: Vsevelod Komarov sat for an egregious HOLDING call.
The Red Wings’ first PP unit was: DeBrincat-Copp-Danielson up front, with Seider and Raymond on left and right defense, respectively.
PENALTY, 15:28 1st period: Zach Metsa fired the puck out into the crowd, and the Sabres CHALLENGED the call.
PENALTY, wiped out: The Sabres were right as Nate Danielson’s stick accidentally tipped the puck out. NO PENALTY.
GOAL, 1-1 TIE, 16:59 1st period: Detroit’s Emmitt Finnie won an offensive zone face-off, and Axel Sandin Pellikka one-timed a pass from Anton Johansson off Alex Lyon’s chest and into the Sabres’ net.
ASP🚨 bomb
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 24, 2026
1-1#LGRW pic.twitter.com/6qkKsayvQh
Ok, Axe #LGRW pic.twitter.com/zVSz5MUOyZ
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 24, 2026
TIE GAME!! 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/0mNpL2R1wc
— Detroit SportsNet (@WatchDSN) September 24, 2026
The goal read Sandin Pellikka (2) from Johansson (5) and Finnie (2) at 16:11 1st period, PPG.
GOALIE CHANGE: At 18:00 of the 1st period, Colten Ellis replaced Lyon, who was favoring his left shoulder after Lucas Raymond beaned Lyon with his stick as Lyon handled a rebound.
Alex Lyon heads off the ice in discomfort after this play #LetsGoBuffalo #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Wxr6g2b8pL
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) September 24, 2026
Buffalo picked up its play after their net-minding change, and Daniil Tarasov had to make a couple of good saves to close out the 1st period.
Anton Johansson and Gavin McCarthy also said, “Hello!” and got acquainted.
Anton Johansson doing Anton Johansson stuff #LGRW pic.twitter.com/tSJoU43WHv
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 24, 2026
END 1ST: 1-1 TIE.
1st period stats:
— George Malik (@georgemalik) September 24, 2026
Shots 8-7 Detroit;
Shot attempts 19-11 Detroit;
Hits 6-2 Buffalo;
Giveaways 6-5 Buffalo;
Takeaways 1-0 Detroit;
Blocks 5-2 Buffalo;
Faceoffs 13-11 Detroit (54%).
2ND PERIOD:
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
GOAL, 2-1 Buffalo at 0:33 2nd period: Moritz Seider got caught on a 2-on-1, Jiri Kulich looked to pass for a moment, but Seider cut the pass off, Kulich shot, and the puck rolled through Daniil Tarasov’s glove and pad to give Buffalo a 2-1 lead.
Gotta think Tarasov wants that back
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
2-1#LGRW pic.twitter.com/HfFtPODfUY
Kuli's shot was too much to handle. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2iCtfsce0l
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 25, 2026
The goal read Kulich (1) from Noah Ostlund (1) and Radim Mrtka (1) at 33 seconds, 2nd period.
Nice play in tight by Finnie. Appleton can’t find the pass #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Q9fzGmdIYc
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
PENALTY, Detroit, 6:17 2nd: Axel Sandin Pellikka accidentally shot the puck over the glass on the backhand. DELAY OF GAME.
Good scan and quick up off the boards by Anton Johansson. Results in a SOG#LGRW pic.twitter.com/8R62NQ2O3q
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
PENALTY, Detroit at 15:44 2nd period: Moritz Seider got caught accidentally TRIPPING a Sabre through neutral ice.
Good example of MBN finding soft areas for SOG. Sees the rim is clean and Wallinder isn’t under pressure turns finds open ice opens up for the pass for the shot #LGRW pic.twitter.com/9ECx2cdmsn
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
PENALTY, Buffalo at 18:11 2nd period: Komarov TRIPPED Nate Danielson in the Sabres’ zone.
END 2ND: 2-1 BUFFALO.
2nd period stats:
— George Malik (@georgemalik) September 25, 2026
Shots in the 2nd 6-6, shots 14-13 Detroit overall.
Detroit 1-for-2 in 3:03 PP time; Buffalo 0-for-2 in 4:00.
Shot attempts 36-30 Detroit;
Hits 12-11 Buffalo;
Giveaways 19-8 Buffalo;
Takeaways 1-1;
Blocks 10-9 Buffalo;
Faceoffs 21-18 Buffalo (46%).
Individual highlights:
— George Malik (@georgemalik) September 25, 2026
DeBrincat leads Detroit with 4 shots and 6 attempts; Raymond has 2 shots and 5 attempts; Seider has 3 blocked attempts;
3 hits for MBN, 2 hits for FInnie;
2 giveaways for Copp;
One takeaway for Bryson;
3 blocks for Bernard-Docker;
Finnie 5-1 (83%) on… https://t.co/pjgZ5N82w3
3RD PERIOD:
Some good puck protection and blue line walking by Anton Johansson#LGRW pic.twitter.com/lnAlYnmVzN
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
FIGHT!
Mo & cat shenanigans #LGRW pic.twitter.com/R4BFAPwsGU
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
I just grabbed my ribs. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Xy48qLupYo
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
Kuntar vs DeBrincat #LetsGoBuffalo #LGRW pic.twitter.com/qrgyFN9U3Y
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) September 25, 2026
PENALTIES: Carter Mazur took an HOLDING penalty at 0:54 of the 3rd period;
Moritz Seider took a ROUGHING penalty at 0:54 of the 3rd period;
Alex DeBrincat of all people got 5 minutes for FIGHTING at 0:54 of the 3rd period;
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 25, 2026
Kuntar took a 5 minute major for FIGHTING at 0:54 of the 3rd period;
McCarthy took a 2-minute minor for ROUGHING at 0:54 of the 3rd period.
PK DETROIT.
PENALTY: Noah Ostlund SLASHED Nate Danielson on the hands at 5:01 of the 3rd.
I agree. Pass from Mo is in his skates he takes it well. Pulls the puck out of a battle down low gets it to the point for a shot and then draws a penalty #LGRW https://t.co/n8on2cywdk pic.twitter.com/7a59wNbOMG
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
And the teams did not like each other…
Keep those arms up Mickey! pic.twitter.com/lhTn29Y6oJ
— Detroit SportsNet (@WatchDSN) September 25, 2026
GOAL, 2-2 DETROIT: Jacob Bryson held a puck in at the blueline and fired a shot on Colten Ellis…Sheldon DRIES tapped the puck through the skates of the Sabres D-man and it rolled through Ellis at 7:13 of the 3rd period.
Dries good tip 2-2 pic.twitter.com/ewomsMoDHX
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/qoV6cxDSl6
— Detroit SportsNet (@WatchDSN) September 25, 2026
Driesy! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/gUckOiDhDt
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 25, 2026
The goal read Dries (1) from Bryson (1) and Skoog (2) at 7:13 3rd period.
Anton and ASP almost a great passing play #LGRW pic.twitter.com/f4ph30a6SW
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
PENALTIES, 4 on 4 at 14:14: Emmitt Finnie was called for removing an opponent’s helmet, and Gavin McCarthy was called for high-sticking.
PENALTY Detroit, 16:02: Nate Danielson accidentally SLASHED Konsta Helenius.
Nate Danielson unlucky #LGRW pic.twitter.com/vmvUxTu5ZT
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
4-on-3 for 12 seconds, then 5-on-4 for 1:48.
PENALTY Buffalo at 18:41: Gavin McCarthy got nailed for holding Lucas Raymond’s stick.
END 3rd, 2-2 tie.
60 minutes' worth of stats:
— George Malik (@georgemalik) September 25, 2026
Shots 11-6 Detroit in the 3rd, 25-19 Detroit overall.
Shot attempts 57-46 Detroit;
Hits 18-15 Detroit;
Giveaways 25-16 Buffalo;
Takeaways 2-2;
Blocks 17-13 Buffalo;
Faceoffs 29-26 Buffalo (46%).
IN OVERTIME…
GOAL, DETROIT WINS 3-2 in OT: Alex DeBrincat and the Red Wings’ power play set up in Buffalo’s zone, cycled back to Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, tap tap tappity tap to DeBrincat it went, and DeBrincat ripped his second try and 8th shot of the game past Colten Ellis at 32 seconds, on the PP.
Cat GWG🚨#LGRW pic.twitter.com/FEp1zkHVfZ
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 25, 2026
RED WINGS WIN !! pic.twitter.com/3pLJLsK7SE
— Detroit SportsNet (@WatchDSN) September 25, 2026
The goal reads DeBrincat (1) from Raymond (1) and Seider (1), PPG at 0:32 OT.
STATISTICS: Here are the Game Summary and Event Summary:

