The Detroit Red Wings will look to achieve something they have not done in 17 years when they are hosted to Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon.
Detroit wears a seven-game winning line into the game. The red wings have not won eight straight since January 17. 5, 2008.
It is their second seven match winning line since Todd McLellan was appointed head coach at the end of December. The last four in this row came during a road trip to Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Seattle.
“To go home with eight points in the bank, I’m not sure we thought we would get it when we left, but we chipped away and chipped away,” McLellan said. “The spirit and the belief system have gone up. They play to the structure we put in. It’s easy when you win, you can make people believe in things much easier than if you lose.”
All these road winnings came down to the thread. A couple were decided in shootouts, another in overtime and the other dressed with an empty net.
“I think since Todd came in, we have proven that we are a good hockey team,” said top defender Moritz Seider. “We knew we had it in the dressing room and we just couldn’t find a spark and he brought the extra spark, revived us. But still a long way to go.”
With the Eastern Conference that gathered, the red wings have sat back in driving for one of the eight playoffs. The game on Saturday will be crucial. Tampa Bay, who has played a fewer games, has another point than Detroit.
“I’m not sure any of us really thought we would be in this position right now,” Red Wings forward Patrick Kane said. “What a place we are in. It’s fun when you play for something every night. We’re in a good place and we sit there.”
The flash is 3-0-1 in its last four matches. They defeated Ottawa in back-to-back home games this week and screamed out a 4-3 victory on Tuesday and thumped the senators 5-1 on Thursday.
“It was a massive two matches for us,” said Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper. “We had this five-game home, we lost the first to Chicago, but in order for us to get seven of the next eight (points) was crucial. Especially against a divisional rival with which we are neck. And they were hot to come in. “
Star Forward Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in 16 of the last 17 games. He contributed two assists in the last victory.
“Obviously a great effort, this was a huge two matches for us,” said Center Jake Guentzel. “This is our identity. We do not have to give up much because it is a highly scored team over there. I think it is easy to stand up for these games … Playoff mentality against a team we are fighting against.”
This is the third meeting since January 18 between Lightning and Red Wings. Tampa Bay won the first matchup, 5-1, led by Kucherov’s goals and two assists. In the Omatch a week later, Detroit played a 2-0 shutdown when Cam Talbot made 28 rescues.
They will end the season series with four games in April.
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