Lightning Dig Deep, Gut Out OT Win In Detroit

Nikita Kucherov scored the game-winning goal in overtime leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Ondrej Palat scored the Bolts lone regulation goal and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 29-shots in ending a personal three game losing streak.

The Lightning won their sixth straight game against the Red Wing including all four of their head-to-head matchups this season. It was the Bolts final regular season game at Joe Louis Arena and they will finish with a 6-17-0 (with one tie) all-time in the regular season series there (3-2 in playoffs).

It was the Bolts fifth straight road win and they have now picked up a point in 11 of their last 12 road games (8-1-3).

The victory improves the Lightning’s record to 36-29-9 (81-points) and they trail the New York Islanders (who have a game in hand) and Boston Bruins by one point for the second wild card in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Henrik Zetterberg scored the Red Wings only goal and Petr Mrazek stopped 30-shots as the Red Wings fell to 29-32-12.

Cooper’s Quote To Note:

“It just feels good to win this game. We had a tough little stretch there where we lost three in a row at home. You can sit here and say every game is a must win, but let’s be honest, if we don’t come out with four points in this we’re in trouble.

We got the effort, not only last night, but to come in on the back-to-back, and be down in the third and gut one out…pretty proud of the guys.”

Lightning Playoff Odds:

According the the web-site sportsclubstats.com the Lightning entered Friday night’s action with a 13.9-percent chance of making the playoffs. With the Lightning’s overtime win over Detroit and the Islanders overtime victory against the Penguins the odds will increase by 2.8-percent.

Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 overtime win over the the Detroit Red Wings (+5.5-percent)

New York Islanders 4-2 overime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins (-2.7-percent)

Entering tonight’s game against the Bruins, thehockeynews.com gave the Lightning a 17-percent chance at the postseason.

Upcoming Games Of Note:

The Lightning return home and take on the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night.

The New York Islanders finish a back-to-back set in Boston against the Bruins on Saturday night. They then head home to take on the Nashville Predators Monday night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Saturday night. Afterwards they’ll return home to host the Florida Panthers Tuesday night.

Lightning Notes: