Arrgh! Ahoy, Mateys! It’s the start of the 2025 Gasparilla Pirate Fest in Tampa Bay. Here, at Amalie Arena, the Lightning took on their Atlantic division rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. The Bolts have struggled against Atlantic division opponents this season, winning just two of their eight matchups going into tonight. But with four of their next five games against their own division, the Lightning needed to find ways to get these important points. Tonight, they did just that! With excellent special teams, top notch goaltending, and superstar scoring, the Bolts took down the surging Red Wings for an impressive divisional victory.
Erik Cernak was out of the lineup for the Lightning tonight. He left the game against Anaheim Thursday night after an injury. He is listed as “day to day” and defenseman Maxwell Crozier was called up to fill in.
Arrgh… Those Are Some Hot Wings!
The Red Wings came into this came on a tear. They were 8-2-0 in their previous ten games. But it was the Lightning that opened the scoring in this one. Just over two minutes in, Brayden Point found an opening at beat goaltender Cam Talbot for his 27th goal of the season.
“Rebound, SCORREEE!!! POINT!!!!!”
An early goal to jump in front! Those boards are sure alive, Phil!#DETvsTBL
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9Tynk9H
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/DUBlZBsv6h— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) January 19, 2025
The Wings had a fairly dominant first period. They outshot the Bolts 13-6 and won 78.9 percent of the face-offs. But Andrei Vasilevskiy came up big when he needed to (particularly on a save on a two on one rush off the stick of Alex Debrincat) and the Lightning took a 1-0 lead to the dressing room after 20 minutes. After the game, Vasilevskiy commented that sometimes, it’s easier to make the big saves when your opponent keeps the pressure on. He explained that it keeps him sharp and focused.
Arrgh… The Lightning Top Line Attacks
Brayden Point scored the lone goal in the first period. But his linemates were quick to join in on the action in the second. After killing off their second penalty of the game to end the first, the Bolts got a power play of their own just four seconds into the middle period. And they wasted no time. Jake Guentzel tipped it home at the 16 second mark.
Two members of the top line had scored, so that just left Nikita Kucherov. It did not take him long to join the party. At 1:50, Kucherov notched a highlight reel goal for his 21st of the season. He skated through the Red Wing defense as though it was Swiss cheese and just roofed it top shelf to give the Bolts a 3-0 lead.
🗣️ “BRILLIANCE FROM KUCHEROV!!!!!”
Kuch dances his way into a goal for Tampa Bay!#DETvsTBL
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9TymMk9
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/Z8zdlL9XvG— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) January 19, 2025
Just about two minutes later, the fourth line also got into the scoring. Mitchell Chaffee scored his 8th of the season from Cam Atkinson to put the Lightning up 4-0.
Celebrating 600
The Bolts were taking a lot of penalties in this one and it finally caught up with them. On Detroit’s fourth power play of the game, Lucas Raymond tallied his 19th of the season with just four seconds remaining on the man advantage.
But the Lightning came back less than a minute later with a power play of their own. This time, it was a Darren Raddysh shot from the point that whistled right past Cam Talbot. Nikita Kucherov assisted on the goal for his second assist of the game and 600th of his illustrious career.
“A big blast from Raddysh! … That is assist number 600 for Kucherov!”
Raddy brings the boom 💥 off a milestone dish from Kuch!#DETvsTBL
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9Tynk9H
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/yxmM4dBcIc— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) January 19, 2025
Arrgh… The Penalties!
The Lightning appeared to have this one under control going into the final 20 minutes. But it would have been nice to stay out of the penalty box. The referees did not cooperate. The Bolts were assessed two more penalties in the third period for a grand total of six on the night. Fortunately, their penalty kill was strong tonight against a very dangerous Detroit power play.
There was no scoring in the third period. The Bolts hung on for an important two points in a divisional game. They finish up the mini 2-game homestand with all 4 points and now head north for four road games.
Three Stars
1- Nikita Kucherov- 1 goal, 2 assists (including #600 of his career)
2- Andrei Vasilevskiy- stopped 39 of 40 shots
3- Jake Guentzel- 1 goal, 2 assists
Up Next
The Atlantic division battles continue as the Bolts hit the road. It starts out in Toronto on Monday night against the division leading Maple Leafs. Puck drop scheduled for 7:30pm.
