NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 23: Thomas Greiss #29 of the Detroit Red Wings readies for play to start before a faceoff against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on March 23, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Thomas Greiss finally got some supporting goals as the Red Wings’ offense powered them to their first win in a decade on Tampa Bay’s home turf (the last win coming in February of 2011).
The first period had all the makings of a defensive battle. Scoring chances were limited, as both teams struggled to sustain any real sort of offensive zone pressure. But Detroit Captain Dylan Larkin broke the stalemate in the final seconds of the first, scoring his first power play goal of the season after a fantastic offensive zone steal by Filip Zadina.
Detroit would only take it up a notch in the second. Valtteri Filppula scored Detroit’s first second period goal off of a fantastic pass from Luke Glendening. A mere thirty seconds later, Michael
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Rasmussen continued to showcase his development as he cashed in on loose puck in the front of the net, pushing the Detroit lead to 3. But the Wings weren’t done there. Marc Staal would score the final goal of the period, ripping a rocket from the blue line to put Detroit on top with an impressive four goal lead.
In the third period, Tampa Bay tried everything they could to claw their way back into the game. They gained some hope after a Victor Hedman goal that cut the lead to 3 just 4 minutes in. It would be the only goal the Lightning would score in the game, as Detroit continued to muck up the lanes, and control the pace of play. Darren Helm iced the game with an empty netter just minutes after Tampa Bay pulled their goaltender with five minutes left.
Red Wings Goals
Game Notes
- Rassmussen’s stock just keeps rising. It seems he’s figured out how to use that big frame of his. Watch those goals keep coming.
- Greiss is finally stepping up his game. He was the first star of the game, with a save percentage of .964. I’m sure he appreciates the goal support, too.
- Zadina is developing his game in every facet. He made an impressive steal in the first to set up the Larkin goal, and looks like he’s starting to understand NHL defenses. The goals will come.