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With about 10 games remaining, the playoff race is heating up as the Tampa Bay Lightning vs Detroit Red Wings will face off tonight at 7.
What’s at Stake?
While the Lightning and Red Wings are in the same conference, they are both competing for different spots in the playoffs. Currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Lightning have already clinched a playoff berth. They currently sit three games behind the Toronto Maple Leafs and a win tonight will bring them one step closer to overtaking them in the standings. On the other hand, the Red Wings are outside the playoff picture and have minimal room for error. With the Ottawa Senators already clinching a wild card spot, the Red Wings are competing to be the last team in. A Detroit loss tonight would most likely end their season, making this game a must-win
The Lightning Continue to Strike
The Lightning have a 45-26 record and have officially made the playoffs for the eighth straight season. Right Wing Brayden Point and Center Nikita Kucherov, who were both with the team when they won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, still headline the Lightning roster. The Lightning also have one of the best goalies in the league with Andrei Vasilevskiy, who leads the league in saves. With all the talent and playoff experience throughout this team, the Lightning are one of the best all-around teams in the league and are a contender to pay attention to come playoffs.
#Lightning now sit three points back of the #MapleLeafs for first place in the Atlantic Division. Both teams have 4 games left, if the #Bolts want to get first place they would need to win two when the #Leafs lose two. #Lightning #GoBolts #NHL #MapleLeafs
— Tampa Bay Sports Daily (@ConnerBabcock06) April 10, 2025
Where the Red Wings Stand Down the Stretch
Currently one game above .500 (36-35), the Red wings will need to win a majority of there remaining games. The Canadiens, Blue Jackets and Rangers are all ahead of the Red Wings in the standings. The Canadiens have a 39-30 record and will need to lose a majority of there last 13 games to give the Red Wings a chance. The Red Wings have struggled on both sides of the puck, ranking bottom ten in goals per game and goals allowed per game. Led by Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin, the Red Wings will need to be exceptional the rest of the way to have a shot at the postseason
Red Wings on the brink… and N0T the good kind. Loss in Sunrise, FLA basically ENDS any 8th seed playoff hope with just 4 games left. After DeBrincat's 36th in the 1st, #Panthers got 3 in 2nd including Brad Marchand's first in FLA after 16 yrs #Bruins . Wings are in Tampa 2moro pic.twitter.com/oopKv2zaSQ
— Parker andTheMan (@parkerandtheman) April 11, 2025
How Do These Teams Matchup
The Lightning top the Red Wings in almost all statistical categories. The Lightning score the second most goals per game in the league and against a weak Red Wings defense, they should be able to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Losing three of their last four games, a win tonight would be critical for the Lightning as they try to grab the one seed. On the other side, the Red Wings will need to earn a lot of shots on goal against Vasilevskiy, who has a 92.2 save percentage. The Red Wings rank 4th in power play percentage, so capitalizing when they get the numbers advantage will be key. Both teams have a lot on the line and a win for either team would put them in a great position.
