Detroit’s heavy hitters join the fray as Alex DeBrincat and Moritz Seider debut, while surging prospect Anton Johansson fights to turn a breakout performance into a roster spot.
On Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings will look to pick up another preseason win, aiming to bounce back after splitting their first two exhibition games, this time facing off against reigning Atlantic Division champions in the Buffalo Sabres.
Having leaned heavily on AHL talent and prospects through the first two contests, Detroit's lineup for game three offers a much clearer picture of what its opening night roster could actually look like.
The top line brings together a group with real long-term potential, as Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond and Andrew Copp all make their preseason debuts skating together.
Several prospects will also get another chance to make their case, including Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Carter Mazur. One name that had flown under the radar heading into camp but could now be in the mix is 22-year-old former fourth-round pick Anton Johansson, who turned heads in his preseason debut against Pittsburgh, tallying four assists in Detroit's 7-4 win.
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Another strong showing could put him firmly in the conversation for a roster spot, echoing the path taken last season by the trio of Finnie, Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Brandsegg-Nygard, all of whom parlayed strong camps into opening night jobs.
On the back end, Thursday will mark the preseason debut of Moritz Seider, who will be looking to build on a career-best 60-point campaign a year ago. In net, Daniil Tarasov returns to action as he continues preparing for a backup role behind John Gibson this season, while capable AHL goaltender Carter Gylander will get the call behind him.
Detroit Red Wings’ Projected Line Combinations vs Buffalo (Thursday)
DeBrincat - Copp - Raymond
Appleton - Finnie - Brandsegg-Nygard
Skoog - Danielson - Mazur
Leonard - Dries - Shine
Benard-Docker - Seider
Wallinder - Sandin-Pellikka
Bryson - Johansson
Tarasov
Gylander
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