Detroit Red Wings' Dominik Kubalik scores twice in 6-2 preseason win over Penguins

Several newcomers relied upon this upcoming season made an early impression in the Detroit Red Wings' 6-2 win over the Penguins in Detroit's exhibition opener on Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Free-agent signee Dominik Kubalik had two special teams goals, and prospect Elmer Soderblom and veteran Steven Kampfer both scored for the Wings, who host the Blackhawks on Wednesday in the second of eight preseason games.

Victor Brattstrom, who spent last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, had 19 saves on 20 stops in 30:36 of ice time. Sebastian Cossa, the presumed goalie of the future, played the second half of the game and

Detroit was outshot, 33-21, but converted on both of its power play opportunities. The Wings did struggle staying out of the penalty box, handing the Penguins nine power play chances. Though Detroit did not allow a goal shorthanded.

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The Wings score four straight goals, starting with Kubalik's power play blast from the top of the right circle on a feed from Filip Hronek with just 18 seconds left in the first period. Michael Rasmussen had the other assist.

With the scored tied, Filip Zadina gave the Wings the lead early in the second period. Rasmussen's backhand pass from along the right boards was snapped past Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry at 23 seconds.

The Wings made it 3-1 about five minutes later. Jonatan Berggren carried the back from left to right around the net and sent a centering pass to Elmer Soderblom, who didn't hesitate to score.

Berggren, the second-round pick in 2018, created another scoring chance that the Wings cashed in on less than two minutes later when he carried the puck into the Pittsburgh zone. The puck was knocked away but to the left point for Steven Kampfer, where the former Wolverine had a give-and-go with Zadina. Kampfer found some room and scored at 6:51 to make it 4-1.

The Penguins scored first on a Brock McGinn goal just 1:42 into the game. Bryan Rust stopped the Wings' scoring run at 13:16 of the second period to cut the lead to 4-2.

The Red Wings retook a three-goal lead at 2:34 of the third period on Tyler Spezia's snap shot from the left circle. Drew Worrad and Olli Määttä had the assists.

Kubalik scored his second goal after Penguins goalie Casey DeSmith turned the puck over to him for an easy tally at 10:20 of the third period.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings' Dominik Kubalik scores twice in 6-2 preseason win