It was a tale of two power plays Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena. The Detroit Red Wings continued to struggle on theirs, and the Tampa Bay Lightning were money on theirs.
The Lightning scored three times on the man-advantage, including the tie-breaking goal by Ondrej Palat with 2:59 remaining in the third period, to defeat the Red Wings 3-2 in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.
The Lightning lead the series 3-1 and can wrap it up in Game 5 Thursday at Amalie Arena, where the Red Wings are 0-4 this season.
This could have been Pavel Datsyuk’s final home game. He has indicated he will likely return to Russia following this season.
The Red Wings have scored just two goals in each of the first four games. The main reason is their awful power play. They went went 0 for 4 on the power play on this night, registering just five shots.
Their best opportunity came with less than eight minutes remaining in the third period when Dylan Larkin rattled a backhand shot off the goal post from in tight on Ben Bishop.
Detroit is 1 for 21 on the power play in the series. More from Ansar Khan’s MLive story HERE
WJR’s Steve Courtney’s tweets from the game
After a wild 2nd period, Wings fall short on a late TB goal in the 3rd. Bolts win it 3-2 and have a 3-1 series lead😩 Game 5 Thursday in TB
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
1:35 left in regulation, Wings still down by 1. TO @DetroitRedWings
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
Drouin scores on PP! Bolts up 3-2 late in 3rd.
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
Oh Boy! Ericsson goes off for Cross Checking putting the Bolts on PP with 4:32 in regulation😩
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
Red Wings going on their 4th PP of the night! Garrison off for hooking. #lets go
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
Although their is 9:42 to play in the 3rd, you could easily say that OT has begun. @DetroitRedWings @TBLightning tied at 2.
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
13:28 to go in regulation and Zetterberg had a Glorious chance! But, the Wings and Bolts still tied at 2. #LGRW
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
How about that Hockeytown! Just out of the box, Gus gets the @DetroitRedWings tied at 2 with the @TBLightning! 2nd period ends with drama!
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
Nyquist going off for goaltender interference with 2:30 to play in 2nd. @DetroitRedWings had a ton of momentum, did not need this😩
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
Just as the Bolts penalty expires, Darren Helm plays the bounce and butts it🚨 2-1 TB with under 5 to play in 2nd!
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
Sheahan gets 2 for slashing. Bolts on the PP with a 1-0 lead.
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
14:50 to go in period 2 and we have our first meeting of the fists. Couple minors out of it, 4 on 4.
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 20, 2016
The @DetroitRedWings had their chances, but it's the @TBLightning with a 1-0 lead after 1. Lightning outshoot the Wings 14-10. #LGRW
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 19, 2016
45 seconds left in 1st, Bolts help Wings out with a delay of game penalty👍
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 19, 2016
Wings with their 1st PP with 3:32 left. 0 for 7 in Game 3, gotta make Bolts pay!
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 19, 2016
Oh my, 10:28 left in the 1st and the @TBLightning contour their 1-0 lead. To be honest, the @DetroitRedWings are fortunate to be down 1😩
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 19, 2016
Here's hoping Darren Mac, old number 25, brings the @DetroitRedWings the same result as Game 3! Great atmosphere! pic.twitter.com/4VjLUeDLJL
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 19, 2016
It's showtime at the Joe🚨 The @DetroitRedWings look duplicate the Game 3 defensive effort and even the series at 2👍 pic.twitter.com/VixL1Mw9hG
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 19, 2016
Pre game warm ups are under way. PS, just read my first tweet, I apologize for my fat thumbs😩 @SteveCourtney66 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/h2lpeVncEd
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 19, 2016
Unless than an hour, the Joe will be MUCH different! It's Game 4 with your @DetroitRedWings and the @TBLightning👍 pic.twitter.com/pof3V8Dwdt
— WJR 760am (@wjrradio) April 19, 2016