The Detroit Red Wings got their playoff run off to a solid start after getting the first win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Detroit benefitted from two goals from veteran Pavel Datsyuk while Luke Glendening got the game-winner in the third period. Now the Lightning must bounce back before the series shifts back to Detroit.
The Red Wings went with youth over experience and it paid off as Petr Mrazek got the start over veteran Jimmy Howard and finished with 44 saves. Tampa Bay might have outshot Detroit 46-14, but went 0 for 7 on the power play while Mrazek held down the fort against the scoring attack. Mrazek only improved off his 1.49 goals-against average that he earned in his final four starts which was much better than Howard's 3.21 GAA.
Tampa Bay's offensive attack that led the league with 3.16 goals per game was certainly alive in Game 1. The team set a franchise record with 46 shots, but still lost. They simply failed to take advantage of scoring opportunities as the Red Wings had the edge in the goal. After scoring seven times with the advantage in their final six games, the team went 0 for 7 against Detroit. Steven Stamkos stressed the team needs to improve, himself especially. He failed to record a point in the eighth time in 13 playoff games. Tampa Bay was 17-2-1 in their last 20 regular-season games where Stamkos got a point in it.
Tampa Bay is also going with youth in the goal. Ben Bishop made his playoff debut, but finished with just 11 saves. Tampa Bay will put him back in the net for Game 2 as they expect a better offensive attack from the Red Wings. Bishop played well against Detroit in the regular season going 7-2-0 with a 1.68 GAA in 1 regular season games against the Red Wings.
