Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings open preseason with 4-2 win over Chicago Blackhawks

Lucas Raymond picked up where he left off, scoring in the Detroit Red Wings ' first of an eight-game exhibition slate.

Raymond's goal came early in the third period Wednesday at United Center, when he was wide open to take a pass from Dylan Larkin to put the Wings ahead en route to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Raymond just signed an eight-year, $64.6 million contract last week that reflected what a performance he delivered last season, which he finished by pumping 11 points into the last six games.

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Raymond's goal came on the power play. In addition to fielding his unit on man advantages, the Wings also gave some looks to youngsters, including 2024 first-round pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygård.

Newcomer Tyler Motte scored 1:10 into the game, sliding to the left post just in time to pop Austin Watson's shot in behind ex-Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek.

Ville Husso, playing in his first game since a comeback attempt in mid-February had to be called off 10 minutes into the game when his lower-body injury flared up, made 11 saves in the first period. Craig Smith scored in the second period when he used his backhand to connect on his own rebound, making it 1-1 at 6:50. Teuvo Teraivainen followed up with a goal at 9:03, on an assist from Connor Bedard.

That made it two goals on the Blackhawks' first four shots of the period. Larkin's line with Raymond and Alex DeBrincat, and the defense pairing of Olli Määttä and newcomer Erik Gustafsson, were on for both goals.

Veteran defenseman Jeff Petry tied it up with 1:22 to play in the second period when he ripped a slap shot from near the blue line, sending the puck through traffic and in behind Mrazek. Carter Mazur and Marco Kasper picked up the assists.

Husso finished with 15 saves on 17 shots after having played the first two periods. As had been planned before the game, goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa took over in the third period. Määttä angled a shot high into Chicago's net with 5:18 to play in the third period.

The Wings play the Blackhawks again Friday, at 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings open preseason with 4-2 win over Chicago Blackhawks