Red Wings postgame: That was awful

Things looked decent tonight for the Red Wings heading into the matchup.

They’d been gifted an extra night off rest, recently popped in a season-high six goals and were facing a worn-down Lightning team.

How would they respond?

Well, uh, not too kindly.

The Wings started off quite… meh in this one.

After Brian Boyle gave the Lightning the lead early in the first period off a tipped shot, the Lightning came out firing. Ben Bishop’s 4 saves before getting injured were the precursor to a pretty rough night. 

Jonathan Drouin doubled the Lightning lead at 7:41 of the second period.

Unfortunately, the Wings then suffered a goalie injury of their own. After a resurgent season, you’ve got to feel for Jimmy Howard, who left the game midway through the second. The Wings announced after the game he’ll be out until at least Friday’s game.

Mrazek didn’t fare too well in the second in relief, giving up two goals in the final three minutes of the period to Brayden Point and Vlad Namestnikov. 

By the third period, the Wings looked completely lifeless.

The Wings powerplay was all out of sorts tonight, failing to score on 5 attempts. 

Anthony Mantha scored the epitome of a meaningless goal with under a minute to go. Too little, too late.

Slotting into his first NHL game tonight was Nick Jensen. Though he’d register an assist on Mantha’s goal, this ultimately doesn’t sit in the upper echelon of memorable NHL debuts.

Uhh…. we’ll give it to Howard, who looked solid enough behind an uninspired team.

The Wings  stay in Florida as they take on the Fancy Florida Panthers on Friday night.