DETROIT -- It doesn't take a calendar to figure out that this is the preseason in the NHL.
The vast tracts of empty seats in almost every arena are a pretty good indication.
Same with the lineups loaded with guys who will be playing their hockey in places like Chicoutimi and Bakersfield and Moose Jaw in a matter of days.
But if anyone requires additional confirmation that the games being contested lately are of the exhibition variety, they need only examine the play of defenseman Brian Dumoulin during the Penguins' 3-2 overtime loss to the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena this evening.
Start with the way he drove to the net early in the first period before deflecting a Brandon Tanev pass behind Detroit goalie Jonathan Bernier to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. All while looking like he knew exactly what he was doing.
Then note that Dumoulin logged three minutes, 41 seconds of power-play time after averaging eight seconds of it per game during the 2018-19.
OK, so Dumoulin isn't going to bump Kris Letang off the No. 1 power play unit -- "I asked him about that in between periods," Mike Sullivan said, smiling -- and public-address announcements like "Goal by Brian Dumoulin, assist to Brandon Tanev" aren't going to become routine in NHL rinks, but being part of a diluted lineup in a game whose result has no enduring significance allowed Dumoulin to diversify his role.
To flex the parts of his game that are rarely seen during the regular season. That go beyond being sound in the defensive zone and consistently making good outlet passes.
"I think that's the first time I've played in all three (even-strength, power play and penalty-kill) since college," Dumoulin said. "But it's fun."
Although Dumoulin is not a big points-producer, Sullivan said his contribution to the offense shouldn't be measured simply by his personal statistics.
"He may never end up with the puck or in the play, but just his presence, by joining the rush, helps us to create offense," he said. "He really helps us get out of our end efficiently. Even though he's not a big numbers guy, offensively, I've always felt that (Dumoulin) was a guy who helped us generate offense as a team."
Even when the games count in the standings.
• Red Wings defenseman Madison Bowey scored the game-winning goal at 2:58 of overtime, as he beat Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry from inside the left circle. Jarry finished with 22 saves, including one on a Dylan Larkin breakaway in the final minute of the opening period to preserve a 1-0 Penguins lead.
• Jared McCann scored the Penguins' second goal, taking a feed from Bryan Rust and throwing a shot past Bernier from above the right hash during a power play at 18:34 of the second period.
• The Red Wings countered Dumoulin's goal 56 seconds into the second period on an own-goal by Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson, whose attempt to clear the puck from the right side of the crease hit Jarry's right pad and skidded across the goal line. Red Wings left winger Tyler Bertuzzi eventually was credited with the goal, which initially was given to Bowey.
• Sullivan made it clear the Penguins still are auditioning players to work with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel on the No. 1 line and Evgeni Malkin on the second, citing Tanev, Bryan Rust, Patric Hornqvist, Dominik Simon and Dominik Kahun as candidates. "We feel as though we have a number of guys who can play in those spots," he said, adding that he expects all of them to do so at various points in the season.
• Simon, who has been used at center this fall, played left wing on a line with Sam Lafferty and Ryan Haggerty. Simon finished with five shots and one hit in 18:19 of playing time and, according to Sullivan, "has had a really strong camp to this point."
• Rust, who worked on the left side with McCann and Nathan Legare, plays both wings and routinely moves up and down the lineup. But while his role often changes, Sullivan said the job description never does. "He doesn't have to change how he plays, just because he's playing in a top-six role versus a bottom-six role," Sullivan said. "We're asking him to do the very same things. That's (showing) tenacity on the puck, utilizing his speed, being conscientious defensively and then, when the plays are there to be made, make the plays."
• Lafferty and defenseman John Marino are the only two players to appear in each of the Penguins' first four exhibition games. Being used so often, Sullivan said, is a reflection of -- and reward for -- their performances during camp. "We just want to see their game," Sullivan said. "They're guys we're excited about, and the more we get an opportunity to watch them play ... I think it gives us all a better understanding of where they're at and where they fit in the Penguins organization."
• The Penguins, 1-1-2 in preseason play, will face the Red Wings Wednesday at 7:08 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena.
• The Penguins are scheduled to have Monday off, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them assign some players to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton or their junior teams then.
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