Detroit (0-1) at Tampa Bay (1-0)
When: Friday, April 15th 2016
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Time: 7:05 ET | TV: CNBC
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The Detroit Red Wings had plenty of chances in Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but find themselves down 1-0 in the best of seven series with Game 2 slated for Friday night in Tampa. After trailing 1-0 after one period, Detroit rallied to take the lead in the second period, drew five power plays and produced 36 shots on goal in a 3-2 loss in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series Wednesday. The Red Wings are still looking for captain Henrik Zetterberg to get going again after he was held to one shot on goal in Game 1 and has managed one goal in his last 25 games. His linemates Pavel Datsyuk (seven shots) and Justin Abdelkader (goal) each contributed and defenseman Mike Green had the other goal for the Red Wings. Rookie forward Dylan Larkin, who primarily played with Darren Helm and Brad Richards, did not have a shot on goal in his playoff debut. Detroit rookie F Andreas Athanasiou, playing in his first NHL Playoff game, had four shots on goal and three hits in 8:45.
Tampa’s line of Alex Killorn, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov combined for three goals and four assists with captain Steven Stamkos (blood clot) and top-pair defenseman Anton Stralman out indefinitely. Jonathan Drouin, who had asked for a trade before leaving the team and getting suspended for almost two months, played 18:09 in Game 1. Drouin had three shots, two hits, two takeaways and teamed with linemates Valtteri Filppula and Ondrej Palat to create several opportunities while helping shut out Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Defenseman Victor Hedman led all players in ice time with 28:56, while Filppula won 17 of his 27 face-offs. Killorn, who had nine goals and 18 points in 26 playoff games last season, has a +12 rating in his last 16 games overall. Goalie Ben Bishop was spectacular stopping 36 of 38 shots in the winning effort.
Detroit should continue to get chances around the net, but Bishop looks to be locked in for a long playoff run. Tampa has the momentum and I believe they will go back to Detroit with a 2-0 series lead.
Pick: Lightning -155
