Tampa Bay Lightning Preview: Key Matchups and Predictions vs. Detroit
After a bit of a layoff following their opening night victory, the Tampa Bay Lightning are finally back at it tonight for their second game of the season. The Bolts will take on the Detroit Red Wings, who are coming off an opening-night loss to New Jersey.
Tonight will be the first game as part of a three-game road trip before returning to Amalie Arena.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Not your father’s Red Wings
- When – 7:00
- Where – Little Caesars Arena
- TV – Bally Sports/ESPN+ (Only for out-of-market)
- Radio – 102.5 The Bone
Tampa looked fantastic during the first period against Nashville before doing the thing we’ve seen the Tampa Bay Lightning do and stop looking fantastic during the second period. Ultimately, the Lightning were able to pull away in the third period thanks to a Brandon Hagel penalty shot and two Nick Paul power play goals.
Who to watch on Detroit
In a theme that mirrors much of what we saw last season out of Detroit, the Red Wings were feisty against New Jersey in their opener, but a Dougie Hamilton goal with under five minutes to play put the Devils up for good.
Captain Dylan Larkin still leads Detroit. He is joined this season by Alex DeBrincat, who spent last season with Ottawa and had a goal in the opener. Along the blue line, long-time NHL veteran Shayne Gostisbehere joined the Red Wings in the offseason. He started last year with Arizona but was traded to Carolina at the trade deadline.
Vegas Says…
Despite just being an 80-point team last season, the Vegas odds like Detroit’s chances better than they liked Nashville’s.
Tampa is still favored, but at a slim -125, with Detroit being the underdog at just +105. Of the 14 games tonight, Tampa has the fourth lowest odds among teams favored.
Vegas envisions a fairly normal scoring game, with the over/under set at the standard 6.5 goals.
