Detroit Red Wings show some fight in 4-3 win over Lightning

TAMPA, Fla. — The Detroit Crimson Wings confirmed some mettle, sticking it to the two-time defending champions and having fun with the reward of a satisfying efficiency.

They emerged from Amalie Area on Tuesday with a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. It is the second time in per week the Wings have defeated an opponent that has clinched a playoff spot.

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In contrast to their April 14 victory at Carolina, the place they relied totally on goaltending, this night time they bought 38 saves from Thomas Greiss — and two objectives from Jakub Vrana. It was a strong staff efficiency, with gamers profitable puck battles and sacrificing to dam photographs.

The Bolts have clinched a playoff spot, however they’re chasing Toronto for home-ice benefit and attempting to remain forward of Boston and never slipping into the wild-card spot and a possible first-round date towards the Carolina Hurricanes. 

Andrei Vasilevskiy misplaced for the primary time in 14 profession begins towards the Wings. 

The Wings (30-37-10) proceed the journey on Thursday on the Florida Panthers, then return to Little Caesars Area Saturday for his or her remaining residence recreation. 

How they adjusted

With Larkin completed for the season after present process core muscle surgical procedure Monday, the Wings wanted a pivot for his or her high line. Joe Veleno bought the nod to play between Tyler Bertuzzi and Lucas Raymond, providing a giant alternative for Veleno to show he is greater than a third-liner. Oskar Sundqvist returned after lacking the weekend video games. Minor-league call-ups Chase Pearson and Riley Barber have been out there, however the Wings opted as a substitute to maneuver defenseman Jordan Oesterle to the fourth line. 

How they began

Greiss had his gloves full within the first interval because the Lightning dominated offensive-zone time. Greiss made three saves alone on Steven Stamkos, together with one on a slap shot from the left circle throughout a Tampa energy play, one of many few possibilities the Bolts had with the person benefit because the Wings’ penalty killers did a superb job taking away lanes and being aggressive with the puck.

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The Wings had bother getting out of their zone — on one try, Jake Walman turned the puck over, and Stamkos turned that into one other probability. Greiss’ sixteenth save got here on Corey Perry, who almost scored on the identical play that noticed Pat Maroon clothesline Gustav Lindstrom. 

How they surged

The Wings performed with rather more cohesion and bounce within the second interval. They gave up a purpose at 3:58 to Colton, however the response was to stay it proper again to the Bolts. Sundqvist was rewarded for battling in entrance of the web with a purpose at 4:20, and Vrana scored at 6:34, ending a feed from Filip Zadina seconds after a Wings energy play expired. FIlip Hronek fired a cross from behind his purpose line up the boards. Raymond received a puck battle towards Mikhail Sergachev and raced up ice and made it 3-1. That gave the Wings three objectives in 4 minutes. Nikita Kucherov ebbed the tide with an influence play purpose halfway by way of the second interval. 

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Observe her on Twitter @helenestjames. Learn extra on the Detroit Crimson Wings and join our Crimson Wings publication. Her e-book, The Massive 50: The Detroit Crimson Wings is out there from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalised copies out there through her e-mail.