Penguins Fall 7-4 to Red Wings as Silovs Struggles in Preseason

Key points

• Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 in a preseason exhibition game at PPG Paints Arena on September 22, 2026.
• Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs allowed seven goals on 23 shots, his first preseason start, after a strong 2025-26 postseason.
• Ilya Solovyov received an 'A' grade from Pittsburgh Hockey Now for his physical play and protection of Sidney Crosby.
• The Ruck twins, Liam and Markus, combined for a goal and assist, with both finishing with a plus-2 rating.
• Declan Carlile received a game misconduct for roughing in the third period after a scuffle involving Crosby.
• Penguins coach Dan Muse stated that Silovs' struggles do not change the goalie competition, citing his strong previous season.

Background

This game was the Penguins' second of four preseason exhibitions, following a 4-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres. The regular season begins in eight days. The Penguins had previously announced that Ben Kindel and Justin Brazeau were day-to-day with lower-body injuries, and Ville Koivunen was out due to a facial injury sustained in an intrasquad scrimmage.

How outlets are covering it

Pittsburgh Hockey Now emphasized the positive performances of young players like Ilya Solovyov and the Ruck twins, while noting Silovs' poor performance as a 'snoozer' and 'apology.' The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette focused on Silovs' struggles as a potential wrinkle in the goalie competition, noting that Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist combined to stop 23 of 24 shots in the previous game. The Detroit News highlighted the Red Wings' prospects, noting that Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Anton Johansson led the team's offense. NHL.com provided the lineup, confirming that the Penguins used a mix of veterans and prospects, with Silovs and Taylor Gauthier as the goalies.

Why it matters

The game highlights the Penguins' ongoing competition for roster spots, particularly in goal and on the blue line. Silovs' poor performance may shift the focus to Murashov and Blomqvist, while Solovyov's strong showing could impact his chances of making the team or being claimed off waivers. The physical nature of the game, including the scuffle involving Crosby, underscores the team's commitment to protecting their veterans.

What to watch

The Penguins will play their third preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, followed by a game against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. The regular season begins in eight days.