Red Wings Take Down Lightning Again to End Six-Game Losing Streak

DETROIT — It is a tall order to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning twice in 14 days. Fortunately, the Detroit Red Wings have a 6-foot-8 forward who helped get it done.

The NHL’s tallest player Elmer Soderblom gave the Red Wings the lead for good with a third period goal in a 7-4 win against the Lightning. The win ended the Detroit Red Wings’ six-game losing streak. Detroit’s losing streak started right after the Red Wings downed the Lightning 4-2 in Tampa on Dec. 6.

 Dylan Larkin also scored twice for the Red Wings, beating Tampa Bay goalie Brian Elliott twice on the short side. He also drew an assist on David Perron’s empty-netter, which preserved the win. Michael Rasmussen added a second-empty netter.

DYLAN LARKIN WHAT A GOAL! WINGS LEAD 3-2#LGRW | @ThinkFordFirst pic.twitter.com/7ugyTFf4Hk

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) December 22, 2022

Soderblom’s goal broke a 3-3 tie.   Detroit center Joe Veleno intercepted Elliott’s weak clearing attempt and fed Soderblom who was parked near the goalmouth. He tapped it into the empty side of the net.

The Lightning have won two Stanley Cups and 11 playoff series over the past three years, but they now beaten them three consecutive times dating back to last season. The last time Detroit downed Tampa Bay three times in a row was between 2006 and 2011. The two teams were in opposite conferences and Detroit beat the Lightning six times in a row.

Red Wings Came From Behind

The Lightning are now 7-3 in their last 10 and two of those losses came to Detroit.

Larkin’s 11th goal of the season, coming on a well-placed shot above goalie Brian Elliott’s shoulder, gave the Red Wings a short-lived 3-2 lead at 11:08 of the second period.

But the Lightning tied the game 3-3 on an unassisted goal by Ross Colton. He took advantage of a bad giveaway by Detroit forward Adam Erne in his own zone.

The Red Wings came from behind twice to tie the game 2-2 after the second period. The Lightning posted the first 11 shots on goal and claimed a 1-0 lead on Brayden Point’s 17th goal of the season.

Detroit defenseman Olli Maatta answered Point’s goal by converting a Pius Suter centering feed.

The Lightning then regained the lead on an Alex Killorn goal at 18:38 of the first period. But 54 seconds later, Michael Rasmussen tied the game with his fifth of the season.