The Blackhawks opened their preseason slate with a game that felt eerily similar to so many games from the 2024-25 season as they were decisively outplayed in a 3-2 loss on the road to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.
Detroit led 1-0 after the opening period thanks to a Carter Mazur power-play goal. Early in the second, Chicago tied the game with a PPG of its own, tallied by Connor Bedard:
we know y'all have been waiting for this🤩 pic.twitter.com/0htpU3fq47
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 24, 2025
Detroit took the lead 100 seconds later and maintained that 2-1 advantage until Wyatt Kaiser tied the game at the 6:26 mark of the third:
Aidan Thompson ➡️ Wyatt Kasier ➡️ 🚨 pic.twitter.com/LxTRtHaFMt
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 24, 2025
Also credit Oliver Moore for the excellent screening of the goalie for that Kaiser goal.
Emmitt Finnie — which is, in fact, a real name! — scored the game-winner at the 12:38 mark of the final period.
Let’s talk about it!
Notes
It’s only the preseason
It’s only the preseason
It’s only the preseason
The Blackhawks were outshot FORTY-THREE to SEVENTEEN in this game despite the Red Wings icing a largely AHL roster and Chicago having a more representative sample of what its expected NHL roster. This wasn’t just a symptom of Detroit having five power plays to Chicago’s three, either. At 5-on-5 play, the Red Wings had decisive advantages everywhere: 46-23 in shot attempts, 32-14 in shots on goal, 22-11 in scoring chances and 13-7 in high-danger chances, all for a whopping 71.29 percent share of the expected goals.
Good to see Bedard remind us all that he can rip one on net with the man advantage. Not as good to see that was his only shot on goal during this game.
Things that Artyom Levshunov should not do this season: virtually everything in this clip!
Here’s the clip #Blackhawks https://t.co/kscbylfSV2 pic.twitter.com/fJ9clNR7wE
— Wally Mazurek (@WallMaz35) September 24, 2025
Things Levshunov should do this season? Everything from the lead-up to the Kaiser goal.
Massive bounce back shift from Levshunov here. Makes a good defensive play and then uses his skating to his advantage. Love that he actually scanned the ice in the offensive zone and made a pass to open space. More of this please! #Blackhawks https://t.co/guXeRT28LC pic.twitter.com/euK1IfpUlm
— Wally Mazurek (@WallMaz35) September 24, 2025
It’ll probably be another up-and-down season for Levshunov, regardless of where he plays this season. The hope is that there are more peaks than valleys as the season progresses.
Arvid Soderblom looked very good in net. If this game was any indication, he’ll need to do that more often than not. Spencer Knight, too.
It’s only the preseason
It’s only the preseason
It’s only the preseason …
Game Charts
Three Stars
- Emmitt Finnie (DET) — GWG
- Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (DET) — 2 assists
- Connor Bedard (CHI) — 1 goal
What’s Next
The Blackhawks next preseason game is also on the road: a Saturday night, 7 p.m. puck drop against the St. Louis Blues.