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Tampa Bay Lightning opponent breakdown: Detroit Red Wings

By Chase Kimball

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 30: Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) is defended by Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Andrej Sustr (62) as he skates the puck behind Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) in the 1st period of the NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning on March 30, 2017, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 30: Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) is defended by Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Andrej Sustr (62) as he skates the puck behind Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) in the 1st period of the NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning on March 30, 2017, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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As the 2018 season draws closer, Bolts By The Bay will be breaking down the Tampa Bay Lightning’s notable matchups from around the league. Today, we look at the Detroit Red Wings

First up in our breakdown of the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s opponents is the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings are (or maybe were) a division rival of the Lightning who in years past have competed fiercely with them.

Back to back first round meetings between the two teams in 2015 and 2016 led to a lot of bad blood being created quickly. Regular season meetings between the two were scrappy enough, but those back to back series solidified the hate between the two teams.  Things have dropped off recently, however, as both teams struggled last year.

Reasons to like them: 

You almost feel bad for a rival that’s fallen away from competitiveness so quickly.  Almost.  The loss of Pavel Datsyuk started a downward slide that included the breaking the longest active playoff streak in the NHL and isn’t over yet.

Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning /

Tampa Bay Lightning

Rumors have been circulating recently that Andreas Athanasiou is considering moving to the KHL, which means that the Red Wings may be losing one of their more promising young players.  This, combined with sub par goaltending and inconsistent play from Dylan Larkin mean that the Red Wings troubles are far from over.

They also produced the best GM in the league in Steve Yzerman which is absolutely paying off for the Lightning so thanks for that.

Reasons to hate them:

While I may have presented the Red Wings as a pity case, don’t get me wrong, they’re still rivals. They’re a chippy, scrappy, and a sometimes dirty team that has been responsible for quite a few injuries to Lightning players.

There might be more to say here if the Red Wings had actually won one of the playoff series against the Bolts but I guess that speaks for itself.  Also, Justin Abdelkader.  A student of the Brad Marchand school of getting away with way more than you should, Abdelkader is a liability to be on the ice with, especially if a fight were to break out.

Case in point, search “Tampa Bay Lightning Detroit Red Wings Dirty” and watch the first video that comes up. (Spoiler Alert: The results won’t exactly be shocking.)

Next: Lightning Alum Ryan Malone gets PTO with the Minnesota Wild

Analysis and Prediction: 

The Detroit Red Wings are in a low spot right now.  Goaltending is going to be their biggest crux this season followed closely by a lack of scoring talent.  The Lightning will walk away from the season series with a sweep and  8 points to show for it.  The Red Wings won’t be a playoff threat either as the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, and Red Wings will be battling to not be last in the Atlantic.

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