How the Red Wings can beat the Lightning

The Detroit Red Wings face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning this week in the NHL Divisional Semifinals and if the game results this season between these two teams have taught us anything it is that no one has an obvious advantage over the other. In the first game of the season, Tampa Beat Detroit in a shootout. The next two, Tampa Bay beat Detroit by 5-1 and 3-1 scores respectively. The last game saw Detroit win with a 4-0 result. While Tampa won the season series 3-1 the series nonetheless included two blowouts (one aside) and a shootout which portrays two teams evenly matched.

So far, not many commentators have given Detroit a chance to move on to the 2^nd round. Granted, Tampa Bay finished the season with 3 wins in their last 3 games and finished 2 points behind the division-leading Montreal Canadiens; the Red Wings were 4-4-2 in their last 10 games and plagued by injuries and questionable goaltending. However, as always the NHL playoffs are an opportunity to try and leave regular season issues behind and start anew in the quest for the Stanley Cup. For this reason, the Red Wings-Lightning series is still a question mark and a battle in the making that could go to 7 games. But what needs to happen for the Detroit Red Wings to beat the Lightning and move on to the semi-finals?

Courtesy of: Detroit Free Press

NHL Divisional Semifinals Round 1: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings - Game 1 Tickets Apr. 16
NHL Divisional Semifinals Round 1: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings - Game 2 Tickets Apr. 18
NHL Divisional Semifinals Round 1: Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - Game 3 Tickets Apr. 21
NHL Divisional Semifinals Round 1: Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - Game 4 Tickets Apr. 23

Solid goaltendingThis seems like a no-brainer-every team needs their goalie to be dependable and stop pucks. But the lack of reliability between the pipes lately needs to end. Jimmy Howard has years of playoff experience under his belt but given his poor play as of late this does not guarantee that he will be the starter. It will be no surprise to the hockey world if rookie Petr Mrazek gets the nod for the kick-off against the Tampa Bay Lightning or if Howard is pulled early if he does start and lets in questionable goals.

Contain StamkosAnother one that could be viewed as a no-brainer. Captain Steven Stamkos is fast, smart, and dangerous with the puck. He placed 14^th in the NHL overall in points with 72 (43G, 29A) and his play in the playoffs has been solid with 17 points (8G, 9A) in 22 total playoff games. Stamkos is 8^th overall in the NHL for power play goals (13 this season) and with the Red Wings’ struggles while a man short already, work needs to be done in this area. His ability to shoot fast and take one-timers with ease makes him the threat that the Red Wings need to focus on limiting the most.

Capitalize on power playAt 24% for power play percentage and a league-leading 70 power play goals to finish the 2014-15 campaign, one would think that the Red Wings are primed to carry their puck luck on the power play into the playoffs. However, the team has struggled with a man advantage the last 5 games of the regular season, scoring 3 goals on 14 opportunities. While not horrible, the Red Wings need to play how they have all year on the power play, moving the puck fast and finding ways to get it to the net. Gustav Nyquist, who is tied for 3^rd overall in the NHL for power play goals with 14, needs to find ways to get open and get some shots on net. Marek Zidlicky with his powerful point shot needs to do the same. Coach Mike Babcock may want to consider putting Justin Abdelkader on a power play line when he is healthy given his ability to create some traffic in front of the net and bang in rebounds.

Shake BishopTampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop had a great year finishing at 40-13-5 and placing 4^th overall in wins. However, Bishop has no NHL experience and rattling him with lots of shots, Joe Louis Arena noise, and a crowded crease could prove to be the difference in this series. Petr Mrazek has no NHL playoff experience either so Tampa Bay will no doubt try to adopt the same strategy at the other end of the ice if he is named the starter.

Goaltending, special teams still concerning as Red Wings limp into playoffs

The Red Wings were bested in overtime 4-3 by the Montreal Canadiens last night but with the Boston Bruins’ regulation loss to the Florida Panthers, the one point earned clinched a playoff spot. While the Red Wings’ 24th playoff berth in a row should be reason to celebrate, there are still areas where improvement is crucial in order for the Red Wings to win games in the post-season.

Courtesy of: CBS Sports

In the game against the Canadiens, the tying and game-winning goals scored by Tomas Plekanec and Lars Eller respectively were the result of shots taken from horrible angles that somehow got by Jimmy Howard. To be fair though, last night Howard did show his ability to come up with big saves such as after the dead giveaway by Brendan Smith and the toe-save on Brian Flynn. But it is goals such as the ones by Plekanec and Eller that are representations of the turmoil the goaltending situation has been in since the beginning of March; Jimmy Howard seems to be unable to find the steady game he played pre-groin injury this year and Petr Mrazek can be described as lukewarm when it counts. No matter the big and timely saves a goalie can make in a game, if he cannot handle the rebounds or the shots from unlikely angles, winning will be very difficult.

Going into the game in Montreal, the Red Wings were 24% in power play percentage and lead the league with 70 power play goals. However, as of late the Red Wings have been unable to capitalize on the power play. Against the Canadiens they had 5 opportunities on the power play and failed to score once. In the 5 games before this game, the Red Wings have had 18 chances on the power play and have only scored 4 times. In the games last week against Ottawa, Boston, and Washington, the Red Wings had 5 power plays each game and scored one power play goal each game against the Bruins and the Capitals. It definitely could be worse-they could fail to exploit the power play at all- but the Red Wings have had the most opportunities on the power play (293 to date) out of any NHL team and imagine the possibilities if they could score more goals with the man advantage even more than they do.

It has been said time and time again that the post-season is a fresh start, a different kettle of fish. The Detroit Red Wings can play against and make it difficult for any team in the post-season but it is deciding factors such as goaltending and special teams that may cause a short post-season run if not rectified.

PREVIEW: Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens Thursday, April 9th @ 7:30pm ET

The Detroit Red Wings will look to close in on a berth in the post-season when they head to Montreal to take on the Canadiens. Montreal is without their leading scorer Max Pacioretty this game. Game time is 7:30pm ET.

Last 10 GamesDetroit: 4-4-2, currently in 6th place in the Eastern Conference & 3rd in the Atlantic Division with a 42-25-13 overall record.
Montreal:  5-2-3, currently in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference & 1st in the Atlantic Division with a 48-22-10 overall record.

This Season3-0 in favor of Montreal.

Last 5 Years
6-2-1-0 in favor of Montreal.

Courtesy of: National Post

Montreal Canadiens vs. Detroit Red Wings Tickets  Apr. 09
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Detroit Red Wings Tickets Apr. 11

Expected GoaltendersDetroit: Jimmy Howard (23-13-10)
Montreal: Carey Price (42-16-6)

Players To WatchDetroit: After admitting his play has not been up to his standards, captain Henrik Zetterberg stepped up and earned 2 points (1G, 1A) last game against Carolina. He will be expected to build on this during this game especially when a win equals a playoff berth.
Montreal: Tomas Plekanec has 6 points (2G, 4A) in his past 5 including a 3-point (1G, 2A) game against the Florida Panthers on April 5th. He has 58 points (24G, 34A) this season and is 2nd team points.

Injuries*
Detroit:Justin Abdelkader (game-time decision, hand)
Johan Franzen (out, concussion)
Jonas Gustavsson (out, concussion)
Erik Cole (out, upper body injury)
Tomas Jurco (day-to-day, upper body injury)
Montreal:Max Pacioretty (out, concussion)

* As of April 9th