"Finally, a chance to play a real game against a team other than themselves.

After multiple days of intra-squad scrimmages, the Red Wings opened their exhibition schedule, with a 3-2 loss at Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Niklas Kronwall and Jiri Hudler scored the Red Wings goals, with Pavel Datsyuk assisting on both goals.

"It was good to have an NHL game so you can see guys against NHL players and see where they stack up," coach Mike Babcock told reporters afterward. "We had tons of chances. They had a few more.""