First round will pit Lightning vs. Red Wings

By foxsports
Published

TAMPA, Fla. -- They're familiar Atlantic Division foes. But the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings will meet on an unfamiliar postseason stage.

For the first time, the Lightning and Red Wings will play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when the puck drops on Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Thursday night at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay went 3-1 against Detroit in the regular season, and the Lightning claimed both games on their home ice. The matchup features two of the top three teams in the Atlantic Division, with Tampa Bay closing in second with 108 points and Detroit in third with 100.

"They're really good," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "Babs (Red Wings coach Mike Babcock) speaks for himself. He's a helluva coach. The last time we played them, they owned us. We had a little success with them early on, but primarily, the games have been really tight. ... They've got young guys, they've got veterans, they've got guys who have won Cups. This will be a battle."

Here's a quick look at the season series between the teams, plus a schedule of games to come.

SEASON SERIES

Nov. 9 at Detroit: Lightning 4, Red Wings 3 (shootout)

Steven Stamkos had two goals and Ryan Callahan posted two assists as Tampa Bay held on after Detroit forced overtime with the third period's lone score. At one point, the Lightning raced to a 3-1 lead. Callahan earned the only shootout goal against goaltender Jimmy Howard.

Jan. 29 at Tampa Bay: Lightning 5, Red Wings 1

Tampa Bay scored four consecutive goals after Detroit tied the score at one midway through the second period. Cedric Paquette had a hat trick, and Ben Bishop posted 27 saves. Stamkos and Mark Barberio also tallied goals for the Lightning. The result marked Tampa Bay’s ninth consecutive home victory.

March 20 at Tampa Bay: Lightning 3, Red Wings 1

Tampa Bay received third-period goals from Alex Killorn and Stamkos to break a one-all tie after the second period. Victor Hedman added two assists for the Lightning. Bishop had 30 saves.

March 28 at Detroit: Red Wings 4, Lightning 0

Detroit benefitted from 23 saves by Petr Mrazek in the shutout. The Red Wings broke open the game with three goals in the second period. Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison sustained an upper-body injury in the first period after he was smashed into the boards by Justin Abdelkader.

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS SCHEDULE

Game 1: 7:30 p.m. April 16 at Amalie Arena (CNBC)

Game 2: 3 p.m. April 18 at Amalie Arena (NBC)

Game 3: 7 p.m. April 21 at Joe Louis Arena (NBCSN)

Game 4: 7 p.m. April 23 at Joe Louis Arena (NBCSN)

Game 5: April 25 at Amalie Arena (if necessary)

Game 6: April 27 at Joe Louis Arena (if necessary)

Game 7: April 29 at Amalie Arena (if necessary)