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Summary: After 2 periods Detroit had 30 shots! Tampa Bay only had 10. I joked with my friend that 6 more shots and Detroit would triple their output of pucks on net vs. Carolina. Then, they were outshot 19-5 in the third and Lyon saved their bacon. Detroit looked like a team trying not to lose and got the help they needed in a win that gives the Wings the season series vs. Tampa. As my friend said, “these are the games we need to win….
A little more lighthearted, there were camera shots where it looked like there were as many (if not more) Lions jerseys in some sections as Red Wings jerseys. I honestly can’t remember a time in the past 30 years of anything like that, but the cats got their second post season win (which may be a Super Bowl era record). I joked with my wife that if the Lions do make it to “the dance… they should let Barry Sanders dress. Something for that man. I digress.
Detroit did a lot of things right after Tampa scored the opening tally. They matched Friday’s shots on goals in the first (12) had 18 in the second, but the third was almost a collapse on the scoreboard. Tampa is a team that has the talent where they can just turn up the volume and go. Detroit has to play a full 60. Cliche as that sounds, it is just where things are right now.
I loved seeing Sprong get a breakaway and cash in. This player is exciting to watch and deserves more than he’s gotten early on in the year in terms of ice time and seems to be taking advantage of whatever time he’s getting. Seeing Raymond score on a nice drop pass was a treat as well. None of it feels as good without the first 2 periods of team effort and Lyon being more and more the goalie that this team needs him to be.
Let me know your thoughts. The third just felt like a different game altogether but Lyon helped the team walk away with a needed “W….
Detroit First Period goals: After an early high skill goal with some give and go between Hedman and Kucherov, it looked bad for Detroit. Then, the Wings turned up the heat and had more shots in the first period than in the first two combined vs. Carolina. With the shots picking up a rush with Larkin, Perron and Raymond saw the captain leave a nice drop pass that Raymond walked into for his 13th of the year. Vasilevsky was very close to getting it, so a big boost for Detroit at the end of the period.
Lucas Raymond on the board! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/SW1Rm92wTY
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 22, 2024
Shots: 12-5 DET Score: 1-1
Detroit Red Wings Second Period goals:
At 8:58 Sprong gave Detroit their first lead of the night. Compher broke up a Tampa Bay zone entry with his skate and Sprong picked up the puck at center ice. Skated in 1 on 0 and capitalized.
He's got wheels! Daniel Sprong fires home his 12th goal of the season on a breakaway, giving the Red Wings a 2-1 lead! 🚨#LGRW pic.twitter.com/yU2RutkIsf
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) January 22, 2024
*Detroit is 6 shots short of tripling their total SOG from the other night. Definitely came ready to fire pucks.
Shots: 30-10 DET Score: 2-1 DET
Third Period Detroit goals No third period goals
Shots: 35 - 29 DET Score: 2-1 DET